Indonesian Delegates in GSF Mission Evade IDF Warships During Gaza Voyage

The Indonesian delegation in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 humanitarian mission to Gaza was recently pursued by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) warships in Mediterranean waters near Cyprus. Herman Budiyanto, one of the Indonesian delegates, stated that the mission’s vessels performed evasive manoeuvres to avoid being intercepted.

“Alhamdulillah, we have been on alert since last night to continuously monitor ship movements, including drones. Fortunately, there were no ships last night, only drones. However, this morning, two IDF warships appeared,” Herman said during a press conference via Zoom at the Dompet Dhuafa philanthropy building on Monday.

According to Herman, the experienced ship crews successfully manoeuvred to escape the pursuit. He noted that all mission participants remain vigilant against potential further threats.

“Alhamdulillah, our team’s captains and crews are incredibly experienced. They were able to perform manoeuvres to stay far from the IDF’s pursuit targets. This was also thanks to the help of Allah and the prayers of all Indonesian citizens wherever they may be,” he added.

Herman explained that the Indonesian group is spread across four different ships. Communication with other Indonesian members remains limited due to the conditions in the field.

Another Indonesian delegate, Ronggo, stated that no military ships have been spotted near their location recently, though volunteers continue to maintain watch in shifts.

“As of this point, no military ships are visible, but we remain vigilant, likely until tonight,” he said. “We are staying alert and organising shifts to monitor the situation.”

Despite the pursuit by IDF vessels, Herman and Ronggo emphasised that the group remains committed to continuing their voyage to Gaza to complete their humanitarian mission.

“God willing, we will continue to Gaza no matter what happens. This is nothing compared to the suffering of the Palestinian people,” he concluded.