Jakarta, May 21 -- Indonesia's Foreign Ministry is using all available diplomatic channels to secure the release and repatriation of nine Indonesians detained by Israeli forces during the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission.

"We will use all available diplomatic channels to continue protecting and seeking the release of these Indonesian citizens," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said during a media briefing in Jakarta on Thursday.

Yvonne said Indonesian embassies were continuing to monitor the condition and whereabouts of the detained Indonesians while coordinating with relevant authorities and preparing necessary assistance measures.

She stressed that protecting Indonesian citizens remained the ...