JAKARTA —-— Several ships carrying Indonesian citizens on the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2026 mission have been intercepted by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). Five Indonesian citizens have been abducted by IDF soldiers, including GPCI volunteer Andi Angga on the ship Josef; Republika journalist Bambang Noroyono on the ship Bolarize; Republika journalist Thoudy Badai; Tempo TV journalist Andre Prasetyo Nugroho; and iNews journalist Heru Rahendro; all three of whom were on the Ozgurluk.
Acting swiftly this morning, Tuesday (May 19, 2026), GPCI representatives—GPCI Steering Committee members Irvan Nugraha, Ahmad Juwaini, Maryam Rachmayani Yusuf, Arif Rahmadi Haryono, Dian Mulyadi, Usman, and Ali—met directly with Hidayat Nurwahid, Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) of the Republic of Indonesia.
This step was taken to convey the latest developments regarding the condition of Indonesian citizens and journalists who are part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, while also urging the government to immediately intervene to free the volunteers and journalists who have been kidnapped by the IDF. It should be noted that the GSF participants have committed no crimes and are in international waters, and their actions are part of a humanitarian mission to promote world peace, particularly for the Palestinian people.
“The MPR of Indonesia urges the government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to take rescue measures for the five Indonesian citizens who have been intercepted and to ensure the protection of the four others who are still sailing in waters protected by international law,” said Hidayat Nurwahid.
The GPCI also urged the government to immediately intervene to secure the release of Indonesian volunteers and journalists who have been kidnapped or detained by the IDF.
“This is our effort at GPCI to directly convey updates on the condition of our friends on the humanitarian mission to break the Gaza blockade. Many of our colleagues in the Mediterranean Sea have now been intercepted by the IDF. Therefore, at this meeting, we are asking the government to immediately intervene to free our fellow volunteers,” explained Ahmad Juwaini.
In line with Ahmad Juwaini, another member of the GPCI Steering Committee, Irvan Nugraha, stated that the government must act immediately to free the Indonesian citizens abducted by the IDF. Such abductions are unjustified and violate international humanitarian law.
“Our mission is to deliver aid to our brothers and sisters in Gaza, Palestine. So our friends’ voyage is purely to deliver humanitarian aid. Therefore, it is unjustifiable for the IDF to intercept and kidnap our colleagues,” added Irvan.
Read also: Global Sumud Flotilla Delegation Loads Humanitarian Aid for Gaza Residents
GPCI continues to pursue diplomatic efforts and is committed to providing support to the families of the Indonesian delegation members who were kidnapped by the IDF. Under the current circumstances, GPCI is providing assistance and support—including communication, information, and psychological counseling—to the families of the Indonesian volunteers who were intercepted during this Global Sumud Flotilla mission. Follow the activists who are still moving to break through the Gaza blockade via Flotilla Tracker – Global Sumud Flotilla. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: GPCI, Aryo
Editor: Dhika