Shaz ends trip on Gaza aid flotilla observer boat, heads back home to Malay

Ibrahim Shaz (Bodey), the secretary general of the International Aid Campaign (IAC) Maldives, headed back home to Malaysia on Friday, after ending his trip on board one of the observer boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla.

In a video message on Friday, Shaz said he was headed to the airport to board a flight back home.

“I am going home now for other works and this boat will continue as an observer boat for other flotillas with another crew,” reads his video caption.

IAC’s media and PR director, Azhad Ahmed clarified to Sun that Shaz has returned to Malaysia, where he has been residing with his family for the last four years.

“He’s in Malaysia now. His flight landed at around 02:00 Malay time,” said Azhad.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid and medical supplies, set sail for Gaza at the end of August, with over 40 vessels carrying more than 500 activists from over 45 countries.

Israeli naval forces boarded the vessels on late Wednesday, detaining the activists onboard, including Greta Thunberg.

Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza has killed over 66,000 people and wounded over 167,000 since October 2023. Thousands more are believed to be buried under the rubble of homes and office buildings devastated by Israeli air strikes.

The Global Sumud Flotilla had marked the biggest mission to date to attempt to break Israel’s aid blockage in Gaza, as the coastal enclave endures a horrifying humanitarian crisis.