JAKARTA -— The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission to Gaza, Palestine, continues to capture the world’s attention after the Israeli Navy (IDF) hijacked and forcibly seized a number of ships in international waters. This incident, which resulted in the abduction of hundreds of activists from dozens of countries, sparked a wave of international condemnation. Dompet Dhuafa, an Indonesian humanitarian organization, has also condemned this incident.
This GSF mission is the largest civilian convoy with a peaceful humanitarian mission in the history of efforts to break the Gaza blockade. More than 40 ships are sailing in this mission, making it the largest fleet ever launched. In addition, around 500 participants/volunteers are involved in the mission. They came from 44 countries, including members of parliament, lawyers, and activists. Currently, at least 22 ships have been intercepted and hundreds of GSF participants/volunteers have been kidnapped by the IDF in international waters. Meanwhile, 18 other ships have been confirmed missing.
GSF announced a state of emergency regarding the illegal interception of ships through a post on their official Instagram account, @globalsumudflotilla, on Thursday (October 2, 2025), at around 4:00 p.m. WIB, stating:
“SOUND THE ALARM – LATEST ATTACK: On October 2, 2025, Israeli naval forces illegally intercepted and boarded the Jeannot III vessel from the Global Sumud Flotilla along with other vessels in international waters. Live broadcasts and communications have been cut off. The status of the participants and crew is still unconfirmed. This is an illegal attack on unarmed humanitarian workers. We call on governments and international institutions to demand their immediate safety and release.”
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A short time later, one of the GSF activists from Indonesia, M. Husein Gaza, confirmed the news at 7:00 p.m. Western Indonesian Time on the same day through a post on his personal Instagram account: “Alhamdulillah, we who are on the observer ships, the Summertime-Jong and the Shireen (21 people), are in good condition. We are continuing to strive to reach a safer location to save documents and evidence of Israeli crimes during the Global Sumud Flotilla mission.”
Responding to Israel’s actions that hinder humanitarian efforts, Dompet Dhuafa has voiced strong condemnation and urged the Indonesian government to take a firm stance.
Ahmad Juwaini, Chairman of Dompet Dhuafa, issued a statement on Dompet Dhuafa’s Instagram account @dompetdhuafaorg, saying, “In response to Israel’s interception, seizure of ships, and arrest of Global Sumud Flotilla activists. We, Dompet Dhuafa, regret the blocking, seizure of the ship, and arrest of the Global Sumud Flotilla activists, and condemn Israel’s actions.”
Ahmad Juwaini also emphasized the need for strong diplomatic action to ensure the safety of the activists and the delivery of aid. “We also urge the Indonesian government and countries around the world, including relevant international bodies, to exert diplomatic pressure, political pressure, or other means to secure the release of the arrested Global Sumud Flotilla activists, the seized ships are returned, and humanitarian aid from around the world is allowed to reach the people of Gaza who are suffering greatly, who have been blockaded for so long, who are starving, sick, suffering, and enduring various other hardships.”
Read also: Indonesian Delegation Confirmed Safe in Attack on Global Sumud Flotilla in Tunisia
The detained activists, including prominent figures, are being transferred to the port of Ashdod, Israel, for interrogation and deportation. This incident not only increases tensions, but also highlights the enormous challenges in delivering aid directly to the Gaza Strip.
Attention is currently focused on a single ship, the Mikeno, which the GSF reports has successfully broken through the blockade and entered Gaza’s territorial waters. Bismillah, continue to offer your best prayers and donations through digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donasi/jagapalestina to help provide food, medicine, and other basic necessities for Palestine. Every contribution we make is a breath of fresh air for those under siege! (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text: Dhika
Photos: Shutterstock/Tempo.com, Global Sumud Flotilla, Husein Gaza, Dedi Fadlil
Editor: Dedi Fadlil