GPCI Reveals Chronology of Israeli Hijacking and Abduction of Ship Convoy to Gaza
The Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) has revealed the chronology of the hijacking and abduction of several ships part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean Sea, which was en route to Gaza, Palestine, on Monday (18/5).
Maimon Herawati, Coordinator of the GPCI Steering Committee, stated that the convoy received a red alert on the night before the interception by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). According to Maimuna, the convoy, consisting of approximately 50 small vessels from 45 different countries, observed Israeli drones and ships patrolling the area. By morning, the presence of Israeli vessels had increased significantly.
The GSF is an initiative aimed at delivering maritime aid to the Gaza Strip following the total blockade of the territory. Around 50 ships departed from southwestern Turkey last week.
As of 8:00 PM WIB, a total of 17 ships had been intercepted by Israel, five of which included nine delegates from the GPCI, the Indonesian contingent of the GSF mission. The five affected vessels were the Josef, Osgurluk, Zapyro, Kasr-1, and BorAlize. Of the nine Indonesian nationals on board, five delegates—comprising activists and journalists—have been confirmed abducted or detained by the IDF. The detainees are Bambang Noroyono (journalist for Republika), Andre Nugroho (journalist for Tempo), Rahendra Herubowo (journalist for iNews), Thoudy Badai (journalist for Republika), and Andi Angga Prasadewa (from Rumah Zakat).
Four other Indonesian delegates remain at sea as of 9:00 PM WIB, including Herman Budianto and Ronggo Wirasanu from Dompet Dhuafa on the Zapyro, and Asad Aras Muhammad and Hendro Prasetyo on the Kasr-1.
In response, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the Israeli forces for the abduction of Indonesian citizens. The Ministry urged the Israeli government to immediately release all ships and international humanitarian mission crews and to ensure the continued delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang stated that the Ministry condemns the actions of the Israeli military in intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 near Cypriot waters in the Eastern Mediterranean. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the interception, claiming the operation successfully thwarted a ‘malicious plan’ designed to breach the blockade imposed on Hamas in Gaza.