Malaysian singer-actors Heliza Helmi and Hazwani Helmi, who took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla mission to deliver aid to Gaza, arrived in Istanbul on Saturday and described the “brutal” and “cruel” treatment by Israeli forces after the vessel was attacked.
A plane carrying activists from the aid flotilla, who were attacked and detained by Israel in international waters, landed Saturday at the Istanbul Airport.
Some of the 23 Malaysian volunteers on the Global Sumud Flotilla mission to Gaza were reportedly slapped, had their hair pulled, and were fed “animal food”.
Their lawyer, Fahmi Moin, told Berita Harian they were also forced to drink tap water from prison toilets while detained… https://t.co/krxMKugsex pic.twitter.com/Zvx6odlBQI
— BFM News (@NewsBFM) October 6, 2025
As many as 137 people from the humanitarian flotilla, including 36 Turkish and 23 Malaysian citizens, arrived by the flight.
Read more: Greta Thunberg Among Activists Deported by Israel Over Gaza Flotilla
After being transferred from Israel to Istanbul, the activists were taken to the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute for health checks before giving testimonies to prosecutors as witnesses.
Speaking to Anadolu, Hazwani said their participation in the mission was a moral and religious duty. “Our duty as Muslims is to help them, and we need to stop the blockade and deliver food and aid to Palestinians.”
The sisters recounted harsh conditions during their detention
Read more: End of an Era? Apple Gears Up for Tim Cook’s Exit
“Can you imagine we drank from the toilet water? Some people were very, very sick, but they [the Israelis] said: ‘Are they dead? If not, then that’s not my problem,’” Hazwani said. “They are very, very cruel people, and I think the world needs to tell that the Israelis are very, very cruel people.”
Heliza described going without food for days. “I ate on Oct. 1. Today (Oct.4) is my first meal,” she said. “So for three days, I did not eat — only drank from the toilet.”
Despite the ordeal, the sisters expressed gratitude for the support they received after their release.
“We are so grateful and thankful to the Turkish people. We feel so touched. Thank you for your support — it makes us feel very happy,” Hazwani said.
“Thank you, Türkiye,” Heliza added.