Dr Fauziah, 10 other WBG members expected to be released

Israeli authorities have released two Al Jazeera journalists who were on board the Zaytouna-Oliva, but Malaysia's sole representative Dr Fauziah Mohd Hasan and 10 others are still being detained.

According to the official website of the 'Women's Boat to Gaza' (WBG) humanitarian mission, the Al Jazeera journos have safely reached London and Moscow.

"The other 11 women of the Women's Boat to Gaza are still in detention, but we anticipate that they will be deported soon, as they have been moved from Givon Prison to a detention facility at Ben-Gurion airport," said the website.

"The deportation is happening much quicker than in previous flotillas. While we had a great legal team assisting the women, we suspect that the reason for the quick release was because of all the negative media attention Israel has been receiving for its illegal interception, including the demand of rock band Pink Floyd," the website quoted Wendy Goldsmith, a member of the land team working to secure the release of the women.

READ: Israel intercepts boat to prevent from breaking Gaza blockade

Yesterday, it was reported that the boat was seized by the Israeli navy around 10pm Malaysian time on Wednesday at 42 nautical miles off the Gaza coast, and the women were held at the Ashdod Port.

According to the website who quoted reports of the women released, the Zaytouna-Oliva was surrounded by two warships, along with four to five smaller naval boats. The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) had demanded that the Zaytouna-Oliva stop its course towards Gaza, but when the warning was refused, at least seven IOF members boarded the yacht and commandeered it.

The website added that in the course of their capture, the women insisted that Israel's attack was illegal and that they were being taken against their will to Israel.