Nine Indonesian nationals aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 to Gaza, Palestine, abducted by Israel
Nine Indonesian nationals who joined the humanitarian voyage Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) on the Global Sumud Flotilla 2026 to Gaza, Palestine, were abducted by the Israeli military (IDF).
Four of the nine were journalists: two journalists from Republika, Bambang Noroyono alias Abeng, and Thoudy Badai; plus Andre Prasetyo Nugroho from Tempo, and another journalist from GPCI, Rahendra Herubowo.
A post by celebrity and Global Sumud Flotilla volunteer Chiki Fawzi quoted the positions of the nine Indonesians as: “Thoudy Badai (Journalist), Hendro Prasetyo (Humanitarian activist), Andre Prasetyo (Journalist), Andi Angga (Humanitarian activist), Ronggo Wirasanu (Humanitarian activist), Herman Budianto (Humanitarian activist), As’ad Aras (Humanitarian activist), Rahendra Herubowo (Journalist), and Bambang Noroyono (Journalist).” The post was cited from Chiki’s Instagram and reposted by GPCI.
Separately, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the actions of the Israeli forces. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns the actions of the Israeli military that intercepted several ships in the international humanitarian mission Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 in the vicinity of the waters off Cyprus, in the Eastern Mediterranean,” spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang told CNNIndonesia.com on Monday (18 May).
Yvonne urged the Israeli Government to immediately release all ships and crew members detained while ensuring the continuation of humanitarian aid delivery to the Palestinian people in line with international humanitarian law.
In addition, the ministry is preparing contingency plans for the repatriation of the nine Indonesian nationals detained by Israel. It emphasised that the protection of Indonesian citizens remains the government’s top priority. It said the government continues to engage with various parties to obtain the latest information on the condition of the Indonesians, while also preparing contingency steps, including protection facilitation and expediting repatriation if necessary.
Earlier, of the nine Indonesians on board, five delegates were confirmed abducted or arrested by the Israeli occupying army (IDF). They comprised individuals from activist to journalist backgrounds: Bambang Noroyono (Republika journalist) aboard the BorAlize vessel, Andre Nugroho (Tempo journalist) aboard the Ozgurluk vessel, Rahendra Herubowo (INews journalist) aboard the Ozgurluk, Thoudy Badai (Republika journalist) aboard the Ozgurluk, and Andi Angga Prasadewa (Rumah Zakat).
The other four Indonesian delegates remained aboard: Herman Budianto and Ronggo Wirasanu from Dompet Dhuafa aboard the Zapyro vessel; Asad Aras Muhammad and Hendro Prasetyo aboard the Kasr-1 vessel.