At least nine Indonesian citizens are reported to have been among the passengers of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 humanitarian mission, which was intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters near Cyprus, Eastern Mediterranean, on Monday, May 18. Several of these Indonesian nationals are professional journalists.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has vehemently condemned the action, demanding the immediate release of all crew members and vessels detained around Cypriot waters.
Media outlet Republika confirmed the presence of two of its journalists on the mission, asserting that the interception constitutes a serious violation of international law. Similarly, Tempo confirmed that one of its journalists was also among the nine Indonesian citizens affected by the Israeli interception.
As of now, at least 10 ships have been reportedly seized, including the vessel Josef, which was carrying an Indonesian delegation. The Indonesian government is currently coordinating with its Embassies in Ankara, Cairo, and Amman to prepare protective measures and expedite the repatriation of the volunteers.
Foreign Ministry: 10 Ships Detained, Indonesians Under Watch
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that a minimum of 10 humanitarian mission ships have been detained. These include vessels named Amanda, Barbaros, Josef, and Blue Toys.
On board the Josef was an Indonesian citizen, Andi Angga Prasadewa, representing the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) – Rumah Zakat. Meanwhile, another vessel, carrying Republika journalist Bambang Noroyono, has been unreachable, with his status remaining unknown.
“The vessel carrying journalist Bambang Noroyono is still unreachable, and its status is unknown at this time,” said Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang, highlighting the dynamic and evolving situation on the ground. The Indonesian government has strongly urged for the immediate release of all ships and their crews.
“We urge the Israeli government to immediately release all ships and crew members of the detained international humanitarian mission,” Yvonne emphasized. The Ministry further noted its coordination efforts with the Indonesian Embassies in Ankara, Cairo, and Amman to prepare anticipatory steps, including providing protection and arranging for the potential repatriation of Indonesian nationals.
‘We Strongly Condemn the Interception’
A representative from Republika media confirmed that among the nine Indonesians within the GSF convoy, two were their journalists, Bambang Noroyono and Thoudy Badai. Republika Editor-in-Chief, Andi Muhyiddin, underscored that their safety is a serious concern.
“The convoy includes nine volunteers from Indonesia, among them two Republika journalists fulfilling both journalistic and humanitarian duties. Their safety is a matter of grave concern for us,” he stated. Republika has also unequivocally condemned the act of interception.
“This action is a serious violation of international law, universal humanitarian principles, and the civil liberties of global citizens bringing aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza,” Andi declared. According to their statement, the volunteers were unarmed, carrying only humanitarian aid such as medicines and logistical supplies for Gaza’s residents.
Quoting Kompas.com, one of the Indonesian participants, Bambang Daryono (also known as Abeng), managed to send a video message before communication was lost. “I am Bambang Daryono, also known as Abeng. I am an Indonesian citizen. I am a participant in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2026 humanitarian mission voyage,” he stated in the video recording. He then appealed to the Indonesian government for assistance in his release. “I ask the government of the Republic of Indonesia to free me from this abduction by the Zionist Israeli occupation forces and to always support the independence of Palestine,” he added.
Meanwhile, Tempo media also confirmed that its journalist was one of the nine Indonesian citizens affected by the Israeli interception. Tempo TV journalist, Andre Prasetyo Nugroho, reportedly sent an emergency or SOS video message. After being unreachable for a period, Andre transmitted a 53-second video to the GPCI team. This video was part of a pre-arranged protocol for Global Sumud Flotilla participants, who were instructed to record emergency messages for publication should Israeli forces apprehend them or sever their communication during the mission. “If you are watching this video, it means I have been captured by the Zionist Israeli regime,” Andre stated in the video, as quoted by Tempo on Monday evening, May 18.
GSF: ‘Illegal Aggression on the High Seas’
In its official statement, the GSF declared that its fleet of civilian ships, en route to open a humanitarian aid corridor to Gaza, was surrounded by Israeli warships in international waters, approximately 250 nautical miles from the area. They described this situation as a continuation of previous patterns of interception against civilian vessels on similar missions, including an incident just weeks prior.
“This military encirclement marks the recommencement of illegal aggression on the high seas,” they wrote in a statement dated May 18, 2026. The GSF asserted that all participants in the fleet were unarmed civilians—including medical personnel, journalists, and volunteers—and stated that the act of interception in international waters violates maritime law and the principle of freedom of navigation.
Just after 10:30 in Cyprus (07:30 GMT) on Monday, May 18, live video footage on the GSF website showed commando forces on an assault craft approaching a sailing vessel, then boarding it as passengers raised their hands. “Military vessels are currently intercepting our fleet, and [Israeli] forces are boarding our first ship in broad daylight,” GSF organizers stated. “We demand safe passage for our legitimate, non-violent humanitarian mission,” they added. “Governments must act now to stop these illegal acts or piracy meant to maintain Israel’s genocidal siege on Gaza.” By Monday afternoon, May 18, organizers announced that Israeli forces had so far intercepted 16 vessels in the flotilla.
Previously, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had vowed it would not permit any violation of its Gaza blockade, which it maintained was legally justifiable, and called for the flotilla to turn back. “Once again, provocation after provocation: another so-called ‘humanitarian aid flotilla’ with no humanitarian aid whatsoever,” read a post on X.
The GSF reported that activists on board were carrying food, baby formula, and medical supplies for Palestinians in Gaza, where living conditions are dire and most of the 2.1 million residents remain displaced, despite a ceasefire agreed upon by Israel and Hamas last October.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, countered that Gaza is an area “flooded with aid,” stating that over 1.5 million tons of aid and thousands of tons of medical supplies have entered the territory over the past seven months.
The United Nations reported last week that many displaced families in Gaza are still forced to shelter in overcrowded tents or severely damaged building structures due to a lack of safer alternatives. Access to basic services remains severely limited, with inconsistent availability of clean water and a disrupted waste management system unable to significantly address public health concerns, including those related to pests and rodents, the UN added.
The UN also highlighted that humanitarian operations continue to be undermined by restrictions on the import of vital spare parts, backup generators, and other equipment, as well as critical shortages of essential supplies, including fuel and engine oil.
This article will be updated periodically.
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Summary
The Israeli military intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 humanitarian mission in international waters, leading to the detention of at least nine Indonesian citizens, including professional journalists. Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned this action, demanding the immediate release of all detained crew members and vessels. The ministry is actively coordinating with its embassies in Ankara, Cairo, and Amman to ensure the protection and eventual repatriation of its nationals.
The GSF denounced the interception as “illegal aggression on the high seas” and a serious violation of international law, emphasizing that their unarmed civilian participants were delivering vital humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israel, however, maintained its Gaza blockade as legally justifiable and asserted that Gaza is “flooded with aid.” This contrasts with reports from the GSF and the United Nations, which describe dire living conditions, widespread displacement, and severe limitations on basic services and humanitarian operations within Gaza.