Actress Faints, Activist Forced to Drink ‘Toilet Water’: Malaysian GSF Volunteers Speak on Israeli Detention

When Malaysia’s Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) volunteers returned home from their Gaza aid mission, one collapsed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Another claimed she had to drink toilet water to survive.

Their accounts reveal harrowing details of what they say happened in Israeli custody, raising broader questions about the risks faced in Israeli detention.

Return from Detention: Joy Turns to Distress

On the night of 7 October 2025, 23 Malaysian participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla arrived safely at KLIA Terminal 1, greeted by cheering crowds and senior government officials.

But amid the celebration, actress and influencer Ardell Aryana (Nurul Hidayah Mohd Amin) suddenly fainted just as she approached a bus, overwhelmed by a crush of supporters.

According to eyewitness accounts reported by Bernama, security officers rushed to assist her while her brother shielded her child from the crowd.

During her detention, Ardell Aryana revealed she was beaten, bruised, and had her hair torn out by Israeli soldiers after the Global Sumud Flotilla interception. She also said the soldiers threatened to kill her children if she refused to comply with their orders.

“We Drank Toilet Water”: Heliza and Hazwani’s Testimonies

Upon their release, sisters Heliza Helmi and Hazwani Afiqah Helmi gave disturbing accounts of their time in Israeli custody after the flotilla was intercepted on 2 October in international waters near Gaza. Heliza revealed to Malaysian media,

“We were denied food and drink, and ultimately had to drink toilet water just to survive.”

Heliza said their ordeal began when Israeli forces boarded their vessel and detained everyone onboard. After being held for hours under the scorching sun, she claimed they were given no food or water and forced to drink from a toilet to stay alive.

Her sister Hazwani echoed this in an interview with Anadolu Agency, recounting that Israeli officers mocked detainees who fell ill.

“Can you imagine we drank from the toilet water? Some people were very, very sick, but they said, ‘Are they dead? If not, that’s not my problem.’”

Heliza also told reporters she went without food for three days, saying her last meal was on 1 October, and that she only ate again after reaching Istanbul on 4 October.

“Even the Female Soldiers Were More Cruel”

In another interview, Heliza described female Israeli soldiers as being “more cruel and inhumane” than male ones, claiming they stopped her from praying until a male soldier intervened to allow it.

“Actually, the female soldier was even more terrible. But luckily, there was a male soldier who understood when I said I needed to pray,” she said, adding that she was grateful to be allowed to keep her hijab on.

Despite the trauma, Heliza expressed gratitude to Turkish authorities and fellow activists for their solidarity and support upon release.

Official Confirmation: All Malaysians Safe

Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the safe arrival of all 23 Malaysians who took part in the flotilla.
In a statement on 8 October, the MFA thanked the Government of Turkey for facilitating their release and safe return, and acknowledged the assistance of Jordan, Egypt, the United States, and ASEAN missions in Tel Aviv.

The ministry also said it is monitoring another flotilla under the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) that includes nine Malaysian activists en route to Gaza.

The Global Sumud Flotilla Mission

The GSF—part of a broader international effort to challenge the Gaza blockade—set sail to deliver food and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza amid the genocide. On 2 October, its vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces and taken to Ashdod Port, where volunteers were held before being deported via Ramon Airport.

Among the Malaysian participants were well-known figures such as Heliza Helmi, Zizi Kirana, Farah Lee, PU Rahmat, and Ardell Aryana, alongside NGO members and lawyers.

Human Rights Concerns

The activists’ testimonies echo previous reports of Israel’s mistreatment of detainees. While Israel has not publicly responded to the allegations, rights observers have long criticised its handling of international flotilla missions.

Whether the testimonies lead to accountability remains uncertain, but they serve as a reminder: even humanitarian volunteers are not spared from Israel’s patterns of violent detention.

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