Nine Indonesians Detained by Israel Return Home After Lengthy Ordeal

Nine Indonesian citizens detained by Israel have finally returned home after a long ordeal. The detentions began when Israeli forces intercepted humanitarian ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla on Monday, 18 May. The gradual interception of the fleet led to the arrest of several volunteers, including the nine Indonesians. All Global Sumud Flotilla volunteers, including the nine Indonesians, were released on Thursday, 21 May local time. They were transported from Turkey via a chartered flight arranged by local authorities. Several detained Indonesians reported inhumane treatment, including physical violence such as beatings and electric shocks. The nine Indonesians detained by Israeli forces according to GPCI reports were: 1. Herman Budianto Sudarsono (GPCI - Dompet Dhuafa), aboard Zapyro ship 2. Ronggo Wirasanu (GPCI - Dompet Dhuafa), aboard Zapyro ship 3. Andi Angga Prasadewa (GPCI - Rumah Zakat), aboard Josef ship 4. Asad Aras Muhammad (GPCI - Spirit of Aqso), aboard Kasr-1 ship 5. Hendro Prasetyo (GPCI - SMART 171), aboard Kasr-1 ship 6. Bambang Noroyono (REPUBLIKA), aboard BoraLize ship 7. Thoudy Badai Rifan Billah (REPUBLIKA), aboard Ozgurluk ship 8. Andre Prasetyo Nugroho (Tempo), aboard Ozgurluk ship 9. Rahendro Herubowo (GPCI and iNews media team), aboard Ozgurluk ship The Indonesian citizens participating in the 2026 Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian mission were eventually released. The news was first announced by Harfin Naqsyabandy, Media Coordinator of Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI), who stated they were scheduled to arrive in Jakarta on Sunday, 24 May 2026, in the afternoon. ‘Arriving in Jakarta Sunday afternoon,’ Harfin told journalists on Saturday, 23 May 2026. He confirmed the flight schedule for the repatriation. The Indonesians were to depart from Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday evening and arrive in Jakarta on Sunday afternoon. ‘Confirmed on Emirates flight on Saturday, 23 May at 19:35 Istanbul-Dubai, then Dubai-Jakarta on Sunday, 24 May at 04:10, arriving at 15:30 WIB,’ he added. They have now arrived in Indonesia. On Sunday, 24 May 2026, the nine volunteers exited Terminal 3 at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang around 4:25 PM WIB, wearing keffiyehs, traditional Palestinian scarves. Relatives greeted their return with banners and Palestinian flags, cheering as they emerged from the terminal. Foreign Minister Sugiono welcomed the return of the nine volunteers from the 2026 Global Sumud Flotilla who were detained by Israel. He stated that those suffering physical trauma would receive further medical attention. ‘Thank you, welcome back, and may you reunite with your families. Reports indicate some of our compatriots have physical trauma that will be addressed,’ Sugiono said at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Sunday, 24 May. He thanked all parties involved in their release and repatriation, particularly the Turkish government. ‘Thanks to the President for his guidance, members and leadership of Commission I of the DPR, and Global Sumud Flotilla,’ he said. ‘A special thank you to the governments of Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt, especially Turkey, for assisting in the retrieval of our compatriots from Ashdod,’ he added. Accounts of Indonesians During Israeli Detention One of the Indonesians, Herman Budianto Sudarsono, wept while recounting his experience of torture by Israel. He confirmed the physical abuse during detention. ‘Many suffered severe injuries—broken ribs, arms, legs, noses, and some were shot,’ Herman said. He added that sexual harassment occurred against both men and women during detention, describing their treatment as inhumane. ‘Even numerous cases of sexual harassment were endured by both genders during the prolonged ordeal. Additionally, we were treated like animals while imprisoned,’ he said. Despite the torture, Herman stressed they did not consider themselves heroes for Palestine. ‘All this, God willing, does not make us the most deserving of credit. What we did for Palestine is minuscule compared to the suffering of our brothers and sisters there,’ he said, weeping. Another volunteer, Rahendro Herubowo, recounted being stamped on and subjected to electric shocks. When he shouted loudly, the Israeli soldiers stopped. ‘I was punched in the head multiple times, then beaten on the front and back, fell, and was stamped on. Finally, I was electrocuted, which made me scream loudly, and only then did they release me,’ he said. Rahendro described being taken ashore by Israel, where facilities had been prepared for torture. ‘As I mentioned, during the journey between locations, there was constant mistreatment—tight handcuffs, being pushed around, walking, bending, falling, and kicked. That’s roughly how it was,’ he added.