Jakarta, May 19 -- Indonesia's Press Council urged the government to pursue diplomatic efforts to secure the release of three Indonesian journalists detained by the Israeli navy while joining a humanitarian mission bound for Gaza.

Press Council Chairman Komaruddin Hidayat said the journalists were aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0, which was carrying humanitarian aid, including food and medicines, to Gaza.

"The Press Council condemns the Israeli military's interception and detention of Indonesian journalists and other civilian crew members in international waters en route to Gaza," the council said in a statement Tuesday.

The detained journalists were identified as Bambang Noroyono and Thoudy Badai Rifan Billah of Republika, and And...