The Malaysian foreign ministry yesterday called on Israel to “immediately” release “all” the activists who were detained on board of Al-Awda boat heading to the Gaza Strip, Quds Press reported.

On Sunday, the Israeli occupation navy attacked the boat, which was carried pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid and heading to Gaza. All the activists on board were detained and the vessel was towed to Ashdod Seaport.

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In a statement, the Malaysian ministry said it was worried about the safety of the activists, including Malaysian national Mohammed Afandi, a member of the Malaysian charity My Care.

The ministry condemned the Israeli seizure of the aid ship which was delivering much needed humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, which has been under a strict 12-year-old Israeli siege.

Al-Awda – meaning Return – was part of a campaign to break the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip. Freedom, another boat in the convoy, is expected to reach the international waters near Gaza in this week.