Israel Admits Intercepting Gaza Aid Ships Carrying Two Republika Journalists
Israeli forces have admitted to intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian mission, which was carrying aid to the Gaza Strip after departing from Turkey last week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the mission as an attempt to support Hamas and characterised it as a provocation.
Netanyahu praised the military’s interception operation, stating that the fleet was attempting to breach the naval blockade imposed by Israel on Gaza. “I believe you have done an extraordinary job… thwarting a malicious plan designed to violate the blockade we have implemented against the Hamas terrorists in Gaza,” Netanyahu told the commanding officer of the interception forces, according to an official statement.
He further noted that the operation was successful and avoided the significant international attention the opposing side had anticipated. The Israeli Foreign Ministry also accused the humanitarian convoy of being a form of international provocation, asserting that the government would not allow the fleet to reach Gaza. The ministry stated on X that certain Turkish groups involved in the convoy were part of this provocation.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is part of a series of international solidarity actions aimed at breaking the Israeli blockade on Gaza. The group has claimed on social media that the Israeli occupation is illegally and violently intercepting the international humanitarian fleet and kidnapping volunteers. Tracking sites indicate that several ships were intercepted in the waters west of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu RI) has condemned Israel’s actions and is monitoring the condition of Indonesian citizens participating in the mission. Spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang stated on Monday that the ministry strongly condemns the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 near Cyprus. According to information from the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI), ten ships have been detained, including the Amanda, Barbaros, Josef, and Blue Toys.
The ministry confirmed that an Indonesian citizen, Andi Angga Prasadewa, a delegate from GPCI-Rumah Zakat, is aboard the ship Josef. The Indonesian government is also attempting to contact the vessel carrying two journalists from Republika. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Israel to immediately release all ships and crew members involved in the humanitarian mission and to ensure the continued delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Two journalists from Republika, Bambang Noroylarono and Thoudy Badai, were reportedly detained by Israeli soldiers. The Editor-in-Chief of Republika, Andi Muhyiddin, expressed serious concern for their safety, noting that there are nine Indonesian volunteers in the convoy. Republika has strongly condemned the interception, calling it a serious violation of international law, universal humanitarian principles, and the civil liberties of global citizens delivering aid to the people of Gaza.