MEDITERRANEAN SEA —-— Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) once again intercepted ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 and abducted humanitarian activists in international waters in the Mediterranean, south of Cyprus and north of Egypt/Gaza, on Tuesday (May 19, 2026), at 2:40 PM local time. This incident resulted in the abduction of hundreds of activists from various countries, including a delegation from the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI).
IOF forces hijacked the ships Akka (Andros), Beit Hanoun (Zefiro), and Isdud (Don Juan). As of this writing, the terrorist forces are still carrying out a blockade and interception in those waters using military vessels (warships) and Rigid-Inflatable Boats (RIBs), while pointing weapons and even damaging the CCTV cameras on the GSF vessel.
On board the Zefiro are two Indonesian citizens (WNI), namely Herman Budianto Sudarsono (GPCI–Dompet Dhuafa) and Ronggo Wirasanu (GPCI–Dompet Dhuafa), as well as participants of other nationalities.
According to GSF Tracker data, the remaining distance between the Zefiro and Gaza is 117.2 nautical miles, or approximately 217 kilometers—roughly a 14-hour journey to Gaza, Palestine. The ship is currently in international waters, outside Gaza’s territorial sea limits.
However, the ship’s drastically reduced speed to 0.5 knots aligns with global news reports stating that ships in the Global Sumud Flotilla convoy are facing serious obstacles and are being intercepted by the Israeli Navy in international waters before they can approach the Gaza coast.
In live footage that has circulated, Israeli forces also seized the humanitarian ships and ordered the captains and crews to shut down the engines before intercepting them mid-voyage, throwing communication devices into the sea, damaging surveillance cameras (CCTV), and cutting off all communication during the interception.
This incident, which resulted in the interception of GSF delegates from dozens of countries, sparked a wave of international condemnation. Dompet Dhuafa has also voiced strong condemnation and urged the Indonesian government to take a firm stance.
Dear friends, we ask for your support and best prayers for our friends, Ronggo Wirasanu and Herman Budianto, that Allah the Almighty may always bestow His pleasure, sustenance, and protection upon them. Together, let us await their safe and happy return to Indonesia. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Anndini, Dhika
Editor: Dedi Fadlil