ISLAMABAD: Malaysian singer-actors Heliza Helmi and Hazwani Helmi, who participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, arrived in Istanbul on Saturday, describing their detention by Israeli forces as “brutal” and “cruel.”
A plane carrying activists from the flotilla, which was attacked and detained by Israeli forces in international waters, landed at Istanbul Airport on Saturday.
As many as 137 people from the humanitarian mission — including 36 Turkish and 23 Malaysian citizens — were aboard the flight. 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.
“Our Duty as Muslims”
Speaking to Turkish Anadolu news agency, Hazwani Helmi 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 described facing harsh and inhumane conditions during their detention.
“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.”
Days Without Food
Heliza Helmi said she went for days without food. “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 deep gratitude for the support they received after their release.
“Thank You, Türkiye”
“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.
