By MOHD IZHAM BIN HASHIM
KOTA KINABALU: For volunteers aboard the Sumud Gaza Flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces, freedom came with a bitter truth — their mission of mercy ended before reaching Gaza’s children.
As the volunteers were released from detention, Malaysian volunteer Sul Aidil, part of an international humanitarian mission, recalled a Turkish teammate breaking down in tears.
“We couldn’t reach them,” the Turkish volunteer said, his voice trembling. Sul Aidil recounted that his teammate had joined the mission because he couldn’t bear to see the children of Gaza struggling for food and clean water, as they reminded him of his own child. His grief was felt by the entire crew: the pain of coming so close to delivering hope, yet being stopped by force.
As a member of the 23-strong Malaysian contingent headed for Gaza, Sul Aidil described the journey as both humbling and transformative.
“Two years ago, I was just a media volunteer holding a camera,” he said. “Now I am part of something bigger than myself.”
Sul Aidil emphasized that the mission was never about confrontation, but about ensuring humanitarian aid reached the people of Gaza.
“Our struggle isn’t about us — it’s about them, the children and families whose lives depend on this aid,” he told staff and students during a solidarity gathering for the Palestine Struggle at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).
The ‘Free Palestine Alumni UMS’ featured five alumni, Heliza Helmil, Sul Aidil, Johan Muhammad, Kahirul Yunus, and Nadir Al Nuri who joined the Global Humanitarian Mission Sumud Flotilla (GSF).
The flotilla’s mission was simple but vital: deliver humanitarian aid, including clean water, to Gaza.
According to Sul Aidil, the voyage required careful planning, with their ship deliberately posed as a routine vessel to avoid unwanted attention. “We never revealed that our ship was actually the main supply of water for other vessels,” he said.
When Israeli forces boarded the vessel that night, the volunteers faced a tense and surreal moment. Sul Aidil recalled how the officers initially appeared courteous, but their demeanour shifted once the cameras were turned off.
“They came across as peaceful at first,” he said. “But we knew their true intentions. They took all the high-tech items such as our micro ports, power banks or anything that could be used to document or communicate.”
Despite the intimidation, the crew stood firm. They refused assistance from the forces, including food and water, signalling that their principles were non-negotiable. Sul Aidil also recalled how the leader of the flotilla reassured volunteers that actions of Israeli forces intercepting the flotilla at international waters was causing global outrage.
“Even when interrogated, we knew the mission was bigger than our own discomfort,” Sul Aidil said.
“We were not just delivering aid — we were delivering a message of solidarity and universal humanitarian concern.”
For Sul Aidil and the volunteers of the Sumud Gaza Flotilla, the journey may have ended before reaching its destination, but the mission’s purpose endures. Standing in solidarity with the people of Gaza, they carry a message that transcends borders, faiths, and politics: the struggle of the innocent belongs to all of humanity.
“We may have been stopped at sea,” Sul Aidil reflected, “but compassion cannot be detained. Every child, every family, every life struggling for basic necessities — their pain is a call for all of us to stand together, to bear witness, and to act.”
UMS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor said the presence of the five alumni highlighted not only their courage but also their commitment and selflessness.
“They left their families behind and faced security and emotional risks to stand up for the dignity and rights of the Palestinian people. Their actions reflect the values of UMS — knowledge, compassion, and integrity,” he said.
He expressed hope the spirit of Sumud which includes the resilience, perseverance, and steadfastness in the pursuit of truth and humanity will inspire others to uphold such noble values.
