Israel has accused activists involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla – an initiative seeking to challenge the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza – of having connections to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. A report released Tuesday by the Diaspora Ministry alleged that members of the flotilla leadership have engaged directly with representatives of Hamas and other groups Israel designates as terrorist organisations. One member of the steering committee highlighted by the Israeli government is Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri Kamaruzaman, CEO and founder of Cinta Gaza Malaysia (CGM).

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, who presented the findings on social media platform X, claimed that the report provides evidence of “documented ties to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood,” citing meetings and collaborations between flotilla figures and Hamas officials.

Israel labels Global Sumud Flotilla as coordinated ‘jihadi flotilla’ operation by Hamas, Hezbollah and PFLP

CEO and founder of Cinta Gaza Malaysia singled out by Israel

One individual singled out is a Malaysian, Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri, CEO and founder of Cinta Gaza Malaysia (CGM) and a member of the flotilla’s steering committee. According to the report, Muhammad Nadir has provided funding for initiatives in Gaza under Hamas authority. Al Resalah satellite television further reported that Muhammad Nadir, a Malaysian national who previously lived in Gaza, coordinated with the Hamas Interior Ministry to channel equipment such as fire trucks and ambulances to the Strip’s Civil Defense.

The report also stated that Muhammad Nadir was photographed with Hamas official Ghazi Hamad during the inauguration of a social development office he funded. Israel says this demonstrates direct links between the flotilla’s leadership and Hamas structures in Gaza.

Israeli media have also sensationalised that Muhammad Nadir had married the widow of a Gazan fighter in 2016.

Muhammad Nadir leads Sumud Nusantara

Volunteers from Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, the Philippines, and Thailand are participating under the Sumud Nusantara group headed by Muhammad Nadir. The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of roughly 70 ships and over 1,000 participants, is delivering food, medical aid, and messages of peace to Gaza, was supposed to arrive by mid-September.

Braving risks of Israeli interception as they enter the “yellow zone”

Accroding to Al Jazeera, volunteers aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla ships are currently participating in training and drills to prepare for nonviolent responses in the event of an interception by Israeli forces. The “yellow zone,” located in international waters between Italy and Cyprus, is identified as the area where there are high chances Israel attempt to boarding or other forms of intervention.

Source: Bernama, Al Jazeera, Jerusalem Post

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