Indonesian Foreign Ministry: Number of Indonesian Citizens Detained by Israel Increases to 9
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that all Indonesian citizens participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian mission have been abducted by Israeli forces during an interception operation of aid ships for Palestine since Monday, 18 May 2026. This update was reported as of Wednesday morning, 20 May 2026.
“Based on the latest information, nine Indonesian citizens who are members of the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) and part of the GSF 2.0 mission have all been reported detained by Israel,” stated Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela, Deputy Spokesperson II of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a written statement on Wednesday.
The detention of the nine Indonesians, who are currently held by the Israeli military, reportedly occurred in three separate incidents. The first arrests took place on Monday, 18 May 2026, involving five Indonesian nationals. They were intercepted by the Israeli military in Cypriot waters across three different vessels: the Bolarize, Ozgurluk, and Josef.
On the Bolarize, the group included Republika journalist Bambang Noroyono. On the Ozgurluk, there were three Indonesians: Tempo journalist Andre Prasetyo, Republika photographer Thoudy Badai, and Rahendro Herubowo. The fifth individual, humanitarian activist Andi Angga, was aboard the Josef.
The second wave of arrests was confirmed on Tuesday evening at approximately 19:50 WIB. During this interception, two Indonesian nationals, who are volunteers from Dompet Dhuafa travelling on the ship Zapyro, were detained. They have been identified as Herman Budianto Sudarsono and Ronggo Wirasanu.
The final two Indonesian nationals detained by Israel are Asad Aras Muhammad from Spirit of Aqso and Hendro Prasetyo, a volunteer from SMART 171, both of whom were aboard the ship Kasr-1.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has ensured that all diplomatic and consular measures are being maximised to provide full protection for the Indonesian citizens abducted by Israel. These steps will continue until all Indonesian participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza can return home safely. “Indonesia urges the Israeli government to immediately release all ships and crew members of the international humanitarian mission being held,” added Nabyl.