Jakarta, May 19 -- Deputy Speaker of Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly Hidayat Nur Wahid urged the government to immediately secure the release of five Indonesians detained after Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla.

Hidayat condemned what he described as continuing humanitarian violations by Israel, including the detention of Indonesian journalists and activists involved in a peaceful mission highlighting conditions in Gaza.

He said the arrest of the five Indonesians in international waters constituted a serious violation of international law and humanitarian principles.

"I am deeply concerned about the continuing humanitarian violations committed by Israel and its Zionist forces against humanitarian ...