Nine Indonesian citizens participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla expedition to Gaza were arrested by Israeli authorities on Tuesday, May 19. The leadership of the Indonesian media outlet Republika, whose two journalists were among those detained, is urging the government to utilize the Board of Peace forum to secure the release of all Indonesian nationals involved in the humanitarian mission.
“While there are no diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Israel, we know that Indonesia is part of the Board of Peace. Even Mr. Prabowo once shared a forum with Netanyahu [Israeli Prime Minister] and Donald Trump,” stated Andi Muhyiddin, Editor-in-Chief of Republika.
“Indonesia must press the Israeli government to immediately release all ships and crew members of the detained International humanitarian mission,” he added.
- Also read: What is Indonesia’s role in Trump’s Board of Peace?
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu), in a written statement, confirmed its awareness of the arrests of the nine Indonesian citizens. They asserted their commitment to using diplomatic channels to ensure the release of these individuals by Israeli authorities and their safe return to Indonesia.
Amidst ongoing efforts to free the delegates of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), BBC News Indonesia spoke with the families of two Indonesian nationals currently held by Israel.
In Bandung, West Java, Hany Hanifah Humanisa, mother of Thoudy Bada Rifanbillahi, a Republika journalist and GSF participant, initially admitted to not allowing her son to sail to Gaza. However, Hany eventually gave Thoudy her blessing after witnessing his “strong desire” and “great passion” for journalism.
“Thoudy is a calm person,” Hany remarked. “My concern is that the IDF [Israeli military] might do something untoward, physically harming him.”
On May 18, the GSF mission center reported that their ships were attacked in an “illegal aggression in international waters,” approximately 250 nautical miles or about 460 kilometers from Gaza. This area falls under Israel’s maritime blockade.
The GSF released several videos, which they claimed depicted Israeli forces firing upon one of their vessels. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, denied these reports. Israel, in turn, accused the GSF of provocation and attempting to aid Hamas. This accusation had been previously leveled by Israel and vehemently denied by the GSF, which consistently stated its mission was purely humanitarian.
In Makassar, South Sulawesi, Sutrawati Kaharuddin, mother of Andi Angga Prasadewa, another Indonesian national arrested by Israel, urgently called for her son’s immediate release.
“He wasn’t carrying weapons; he was only bringing food and medicine for those in need in Palestine,” Sutrawati pleaded.
The Story of Thoudy, an Indonesian Journalist Now Detained by Israel
Thoudy Bada Rifanbillahi, a dedicated photojournalist for Republika, embarked on a journey to Tunis in August 2025. In the Tunisian capital, Thoudy joined prospective participants of the GSF expedition to Gaza.
Hany Hanifah Humanisa, Thoudy’s mother, recounted that her son participated in a three-day basic training program for the humanitarian mission, organized by various cross-border civil society groups. However, Thoudy and other potential GSF participants did not automatically proceed to the second stage of training. Hany explained that this advanced training was exclusively for those confirmed to sail with the GSF team to Gaza, a confirmation contingent on signing an agreement and obtaining permission from their respective families.
Ultimately, Thoudy did not sail to Gaza that August. “I didn’t give him permission,” Hany recalled during an interview in Bandung, reflecting on the events of 2025.
However, Thoudy’s connection with the GSF soon resurfaced.
- Who are the Indonesian citizens arrested by Israel? Read the previous BBC article: Israeli forces intercept all Global Sumud Flotilla ships to Gaza, nine Indonesian citizens arrested
According to Hany, Republika‘s editorial team assigned Thoudy and his colleague, Bambang Noroyono, to cover the GSF mission slated to sail to Gaza. “When he was about to depart, there was no certainty whether Thoudy would sail or not. It was just an assignment to cover the activity. So, like a regular reporting assignment, I allowed it,” Hany explained.
In early May, Thoudy flew to Turkey. While he was in the country, Hany’s phone rang. “Perhaps there were certain considerations, and perhaps it had already been planned for the convoy, he asked my permission again,” Hany shared.
Just as in August 2025, Thoudy again asked Hany in early May if she would permit him to sail to Gaza. Hany’s mind was flooded with questions and considerations.
“Like any other parent, would any parent send their child into clear risks? As a mother, I thought the same way,” she mused. “But then I thought, as a mother, I know my child’s desires and passion very well. I thought, my child shouldn’t live for his mother and siblings, but for himself.”
“I saw Thoudy’s passion there. I asked, what percentage is your conviction to go? He said 80%,” Hany continued. “We discussed that he fully understood the risks and his objectives, both personally and professionally. Finally, I supported him morally and with prayers.”
On May 14, the ship carrying Thoudy, along with 53 other individuals, weighed anchor from a port in Marmaris, Turkey. The GSF convoy commenced its journey toward Gaza, asserting that they carried nothing but humanitarian aid.
Throughout its history, GSF expeditions have never successfully reached Gaza; they have consistently been intercepted and apprehended by the Israeli military. This stark reality had crossed Hany’s mind, yet she chose not to hinder Thoudy from pursuing his aspiration. “He wanted to document, to experience those moments. He wasn’t satisfied just getting information from others. All journalists are surely like that, and so is Thoudy,” she elaborated.
“I often talk with my children about the meaning of professionalism, that we must immerse ourselves in what we are doing, internalize work with life,” Hany added. From May 14 to May 18, Hany maintained continuous communication with Thoudy, who was at sea. “The last time he messaged, he was already in international waters, approximately 200 nautical miles from Gaza,” Hany stated. However, about six hours after their last communication, Thoudy was apprehended and detained by Israeli authorities.
Now, Hany continuously prays for her son’s release and return to Indonesia. Republika, Thoudy’s employer, has been consistently updating her on the efforts to secure his freedom. More than that, Hany hopes Thoudy remains calm. “He must not lose self-control, which could cause harm to himself and his friends,” Hany emphasized. “Because, according to Thoudy and the rest of the team, that is the key.”
‘My Son is Not a Terrorist’
Sutrawati Kaharuddin and her family can only appeal to the Indonesian government to swiftly work towards the release of her son, Andi Angga Prasadewa. Angga is one of the nine Indonesian citizens from the GSF expedition arrested by Israel on Monday, May 18.
Angga, 32, joined the GSF expedition as a representative of Rumah Zakat, an Indonesian charity organization. Sutrawati shared that in his four years working for the zakat collection and distribution institution, Angga had traveled to Gaza three times, and once to Cambodia. “He has brought aid to Gaza three times before, but usually by land. This time, it was by sea,” Sutrawati recounted from her home in Makassar.
Every time Angga embarked on a humanitarian mission, Sutrawati was filled with worry, especially when her son had to undertake long journeys. “I’m always worried about such things, but I never thought about abduction,” she said.
Before joining the GSF expedition to Gaza, Sutrawati mentioned that her son sought her permission. Their family initially opposed it. However, Sutrawati admitted she couldn’t forbid Angga once the GSF confirmed his selection. Sutrawati was unaware of the specific training or risk mitigation Angga underwent for the journey to Gaza. “But they did have training, like how to sit on the ship, how to navigate on board,” Sutrawati explained. “So, if he passed the selection, of course, I supported him. I couldn’t say no anymore because he felt he was doing something based on his heart’s calling.”
Prior to his arrest by Israel, Sutrawati was still able to communicate with Angga via WhatsApp. In their exchanges, Sutrawati consistently urged Angga to remain cautious during his journey. “I told him what I felt, that I was worried. He replied, ‘It’s okay, Mom.'”
However, last Monday, Angga conveyed something different to his family. “He spoke to his younger sibling because he didn’t dare tell me directly. He said there seemed to be an obstacle in front of his ship. Perhaps he had already seen the signs [of being arrested],” Sutrawati recalled.
Sutrawati lost contact with Angga around 3:00 PM WITA (Central Indonesia Time) on May 18. “I knew about it an hour after I lost contact with my son. Usually, no matter where he is, he always replies. But this time, my WhatsApp messages weren’t delivered, only one checkmark,” she explained. Communication between the family and Angga remains severed to this day.
The arrest of the GSF convoy shocked Sutrawati and her family. The anxiety, she said, stemmed from everyone’s awareness of the Israeli military’s track record. “We can’t do much; we can only pray because we have no access to reach him there,” Sutrawati lamented.
Rumah Zakat, where Angga works, has reportedly been working to secure his safety. “They immediately contacted us, saying they would make efforts because it is part of their responsibility,” Sutrawati affirmed. Sutrawati hopes the Indonesian government will not remain silent in this incident. “We hope Mr. Prabowo will save my son, because my son is a humanitarian activist. He was only carrying an aid mission to Gaza, as a representative of Indonesia,” Sutrawati pleaded. “My son is not a terrorist who should be abducted. He carried no weapons; he only brought food and medicine for those in need in Palestine.”
What Efforts Are Being Made to Free the Indonesian Citizens?
Andi Muhyiddin, Editor-in-Chief of Republika, confirmed that the Global Peace Conference Indonesia, the body coordinating the Indonesian contingent in the GSF, has already assembled a legal team. Muhyiddin stated that the organization has contacted various Indonesian embassies located near the site of the arrests. Republika, alongside other institutions whose personnel participated in the GSF expedition, is also in continuous contact with various state agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), and the House of Representatives (DPR).
The objective, he emphasized, is to compel Indonesia to press the Israeli government for the release of the nine Indonesian citizens. Furthermore, Muhyiddin reiterated his point about the Board of Peace (BOP)—an institution established by former US President Donald Trump, which claims to be involved in the restoration of Gaza. “While there are no diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Israel, we know that Indonesia is part of the Board of Peace. Even Mr. Prabowo once shared a forum with Netanyahu and Trump,” Muhyiddin noted. “This BOP should serve as a powerful step. It’s odd for fellow BOP members to then arrest citizens of another BOP member in international waters.”
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu), Vahd Nabyl Mulachela, stated that his institution would engage various authorities in the region surrounding the arrests. “Indonesia urges the Israeli government to immediately release all ships and crew of the detained International humanitarian mission,” Nabyl was quoted as saying by the Antara news agency. Previously, Kemenlu had declared its readiness to issue travel documents resembling passports if Israel confiscated the passports of the nine Indonesian citizens in the GSF convoy. Kemenlu also requested its representatives in Egypt, Italy, and Jordan to oversee the efforts to secure the release of the Indonesian nationals. Beyond that, Kemenlu asserted that Israel must guarantee the delivery of aid to Palestinian residents in Gaza, concluding that the arrest of the GSF expedition participants should therefore not have been carried out by Israel.
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Summary
Nine Indonesian citizens, including journalists and humanitarian workers, were detained by Israeli authorities on May 19 after their vessel in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) was intercepted in international waters. The expedition, which aimed to deliver food and medical aid to Gaza, was met with accusations from Israel of provocation, claims that the humanitarian groups have consistently denied. Families of the detainees and their employers have expressed deep concern for their safety and are urgently calling for their immediate release.
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently utilizing diplomatic channels to secure the safe return of the nationals, while organizations like Republika and Rumah Zakat are coordinating legal and government support. Advocates are also urging the Indonesian government to leverage its involvement in international forums, such as the Board of Peace, to exert pressure on Israel. Officials maintain that the mission was strictly humanitarian and emphasize that the detainees are non-combatants who deserve safe passage and release.