Kaltimtoday.co - The Alliance of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen/AJI) Indonesia strongly condemns the interception and detention by the Israeli military of Indonesian journalists who were on board the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 humanitarian mission to Gaza.

The interception reportedly took place on Monday (18/5/2026) in international waters near Cyprus, around 200 to 300 nautical miles from the Gaza coast, based on information received by AJI Indonesia. The organization said the location was outside Israel’s lawful jurisdiction.

The journalists confirmed to have been detained or taken from the flotilla were Bambang Noroyono, Thoudy Badai, Andre Prasetyo Nugroho, and Heru Rahendro.

Bambang Noroyono was aboard the Boralize, while Thoudy Badai, Andre Prasetyo Nugroho, and Heru Rahendro were on the Ozgurluk vessel.

In its official statement, AJI said the journalists were carrying out legitimate journalistic work by documenting and reporting on an international civilian humanitarian mission delivering aid to Gaza amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s blockade and military operations.

AJI Indonesia described the detention as a grave violation of press freedom and said the action violated Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The organization also argued that boarding civilian vessels and detaining journalists in international waters was inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Fourth Geneva Convention, and UN Security Council Resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists in armed conflict.

AJI further linked the incident to what it described as a broader pattern of attacks on journalists covering Gaza. The statement referenced reports from the Committee to Protect Journalists documenting the deaths of hundreds of journalists in Gaza since October 2023.

The organization also expressed concern over the safety of the detained journalists after Bambang Noroyono and Andre Prasetyo Nugroho reportedly sent distress messages and SOS videos before communication was lost.

“Any harm inflicted upon these journalists is the direct responsibility of the State of Israel,” AJI Indonesia stated.

AJI Indonesia condemned the Israeli government and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained Indonesian journalists and humanitarian volunteers from the flotilla. The organization also urged Israel to guarantee their physical safety, provide consular access, legal representation, and communication with families and employers.

AJI Indonesia also pressed the Indonesian government, including President Prabowo Subianto and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to take maximum diplomatic measures to secure the immediate release and safe repatriation of the detained journalists.

The organization also called on Indonesia to raise the issue in international forums, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, UNESCO, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

“Journalism is not a crime. Reporting on humanitarian missions is not a crime. Bearing witness to the suffering of the people of Gaza is not a crime,” AJI Indonesia said in its closing statement.