Jakarta. Israeli forces have abducted five Indonesian citizens who were aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla, according to the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said that nine Indonesians had joined the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0, an international mission aimed at giving Gazans humanitarian aid, including baby formula and food.

“The Israeli military has detained five Indonesians around the waters of Cyprus or the Eastern Mediterranean. Four others are in two different ships, which are known to still be sailing around Cypriot waters,” Yvonne said.  

Yvonne signaled that the situation remains subject to change, saying that the four others are still at risk of Israeli interception. The government has prepared “anticipatory measures”, including drafting the emergency documents in case their passports get confiscated.

“We will prepare medical assistance if necessary. Our representatives have also approached local authorities to enable transit access and a smooth repatriation without any immigration hurdles,” Yvonne said.

“We strongly condemn Israeli actions.”

Jakarta repeated calls for the release of the abductees. Some of the Indonesians in Israel’s detention are journalists, including Bambang Noroyono of Republika. His employer has uploaded a pre-recorded message on Republika’s social media account, which confirmed his abduction. In that video, Bambang was seen holding an Indonesian passport and appealed to the government to take immediate action for his release.

“I also wish for the government to continue to support Palestinian independence,” Bambang said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the flotilla was a “malicious plan” designed to break the isolation that his government imposes on the militant group Hamas. The boats, which tried to break the Israeli blockade, were carrying hundreds of activists from dozens of nations. Indonesia and nine other countries, including Spain and Brazil, have also rolled out a joint statement condemning the attack.