Malaysian sisters expose inhumane conditions in Israeli detention

Malaysian sisters and singer-actors Heliza Helmi and Hazwani Helmi, who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla mission aimed at delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, reached Istanbul on Saturday and recounted the “brutal” and “inhumane” treatment they faced at the hands of Israeli forces following the assault on their vessel.

A plane carrying participants of the aid flotilla — who were detained by Israeli authorities after their ship was intercepted in international waters — landed at Istanbul Airport the same day.

According to officials, a total of 137 activists from the flotilla arrived on the flight, among them 36 Turkish nationals and 23 Malaysians.

Explaining why they were part of the flotilla, Hazwani said, "Because it's our duty as Muslims to help them and we need to stop the blockade and deliver food and aid to Palestinians."

To a query about how Israeli forces treated them in detention, they said: "Brutally, cruelly." "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'," said Hazwani.

‘We drank toilet water’

Speaking to Anadolu, Malaysian singer-actors Heliza Helmi and Hazwani Helmi, who took part in Global Sumud Flotilla mission to deliver aid to Gaza, arrived in Istanbul described treatment by Israeli forces after vessel was attacked https://t.co/ichyyfeZVS pic.twitter.com/qceeK4XhoN

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 5, 2025

"So, they are very, very cruel people. I think the world needs to tell that the Israelis are very, very cruel people."

Heliza said that, "I ate on Oct 1. Today (Oct 4) is my first meal. So for three days, I did not eat - only drank from the toilet."

“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.