Jakarta - All of nine Indonesian nationals who joined Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 and detained by Israel's military after their ships intercepted near Cyprus 18 and 19 May 2026, have been deported and landed safely in Istanbul, Turkiye on Thursday, 21 May 2026.
"Thank to God, all of nine Indonesian nationals have arrived in Istanbul," Director for Indonesian Citizens Protection (PWNI) at the Indonesian Foreign Ministry Heni Hamidah said on Thursday evening, a few hours after Foreign Minister Sugiono made a statement about their release from Israel's detention.
However, their schedule to return home has not yet determined as they need to go through some process, including medical checks, according to Heni.
(Consulate General Indonesia in Istanbul Darianto Harsono (center front) when welcoming nine Indonesian citizens arrived in Istanbul, Turkiye from Israel on Thursday, 21 May 2026 (Photo/captured from Indonesian Foreign Ministry's video))
Separately, Indonesian Ambassador to Turkiye Achmad Rizal Purnama on early hours of Friday, 22 May 2026 Jakarta time said Turkish authorities will get testimonies of the nine individuals.
He said after all process in Turkiye, the nine individuals will be immediately returning to Indonesia.***
