GSF Activist Recounts Kidnapping by Israeli Soldiers

Human rights activist Hendro Prasetyo recounted the moments when Israeli military vessels intercepted dozens of ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea in mid-May 2026. Hendro and fellow Indonesian citizen Asad Aras were aboard the Kasri Sadabad.

The vessel carrying Hendro and Aras was intercepted by Israel on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. Hendro described how Israeli military personnel apprehended Global Sumud Flotilla volunteers without due process, with low-flying drones observed near the ship.

When drones approached the ship’s hull, the crew halted all access. Passengers, he said, immediately put on life jackets.

“We had to throw our communication devices into the sea,” he said during an interview at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten on Sunday, 24 May 2026. “We feared Israel would exploit them and disseminate all information.”

Shortly after, an Israeli military dinghy approached the flotilla vessels. They were forcibly taken to the main vessel where hundreds of Global Sumud Flotilla activists were detained.

“All were placed into containers on two vessels. In total, there were two large ships with four containers,” Hendro stated.

He recounted enduring various forms of torture while kidnapped and held in containers, including being beaten, kicked, and subjected to electric shocks. Hendro said Israel subjected all Global Sumud Flotilla activists to such violence.

“Everyone experienced violence, whether young people, older men, or women,” he added.

He explained the violence was not only physical; the Israeli military also inflicted psychological harm.

“They detonated explosives near the containers to disturb us,” he said. The explosions were heard continuously day and night.

All Indonesian citizens abducted by Israel were repatriated to Indonesia on Sunday evening, 24 May 2026. Prior to returning home, they were flown to Istanbul, Turkey for health checks.