TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinator of the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) Board of Directors, Maimon Herawati, has provided an update on the interception of several vessels taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0. Maimon confirmed that nine Indonesian citizens are participating in the international humanitarian mission, including Tempo journalist Andre Prasetyo Nugroho.
According to Maimon, the mission involved dozens of ships carrying 450 volunteers from various nations across the Mediterranean Sea. "We received reports that the Israeli Navy began intercepting vessels on a mission to break the blockade," she stated during a press conference in South Jakarta on Monday night, May 18, 2026.
The GPCI noted that the Israeli military began its move to halt the fleet around 2 p.m. local time on Monday. The intercepted vessel was identified as the Tiberias (Cactus). Maimon noted that this situation has placed the Global Sumud Flotilla volunteers on Alert Level 1.
"This is an act that violates international humanitarian law. Considering the interception of the Tiberias, it will certainly threaten other ships sailing on this humanitarian mission," said GPCI board member Irvan Nugraha.
The Indonesian delegation involved in the GPCI comprises representatives from several humanitarian agencies, including Dompet Dhuafa, Rumah Zakat, Spirit of Aqsa, and SMART 171, alongside journalists from Republika, iNews, and Tempo.
The list of the Indonesian citizens on board includes:
Herman Budianto Sudarsono (GPCI - Dompet Dhuafa) Ship Zapyro
Ronggo Wirasanu (GPCI - Dompet Dhuafa), Ship Zapyro
Andi Angga Prasadewa - (GPCI - Rumah Zakat), Ship Josef
Asad Aras Muhammad - (GPCI - Spirit of Aqso), Ship Kasr-1
Hendro Prasetyo (GPCI - SMART 171), Ship Kasr-1
Bambang Noroyono (Republika), Ship BoraLize
Thoudy Badai Rifan Billah (Republika), Ship Ozgurluk
Andre Prasetyo Nugroho - (Tempo), Ship Ozgurluk
Rahendro Herubowo (GPCI - iNewsTV, Berita1, CNN), Ship Ozgurluk
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the Israeli military's actions against the Global Sumud Flotilla. The Ministry further urged the Israeli government to immediately release all detained ships and humanitarian personnel.
"We will continue to communicate with all relevant parties to secure the latest information on the condition of our citizens, while preparing contingency measures such as protection and expedited repatriation if necessary," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang told Tempo on Monday night.
As reported earlier, Republika journalist Bambang Noroyono reported his own detention by Israeli forces in a 56-minute video uploaded to social media by Republika on Monday.
"If you find this video, please inform the Government of the Republic of Indonesia that I am currently being held by the Israeli military," Bambang stated in the footage while holding his Indonesian passport.
Bambang appealed to the government to secure his freedom and urged officials to maintain their support for Palestinian independence.
Republika Editor-in-Chief Andi Muhyiddin also issued a condemnation of the interception in international waters, describing it as a flagrant breach of international law. "This is also a violation of universal humanitarian principles, as well as the civil freedom of global citizens who are providing assistance to the people of Palestine in Gaza," Andi said on Monday.
Read: Indonesia Condemns Detention of Journalist by Israeli Forces
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