A Humanitarian Journey Against the Zionist Blockade
The hull of the ship cut through the Mediterranean Sea, carrying cargo far removed from weapons or war equipment. Inside were only basic foodstuffs, medicines, baby milk, nappies, and other essential supplies needed by the people of Gaza, who have endured months of humanitarian crisis. The ship was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), an international humanitarian fleet that set sail towards Gaza last May.
However, before reaching its destination, the fleet was intercepted by Israeli military forces. Volunteers from various countries were detained and spent nearly three nights in captivity before finally being repatriated. One Indonesian volunteer, Herman Budianto Sudarsono from Dompet Dhuafa, admitted he had recognised the potential risks before setting sail, including the possibility of prolonged imprisonment or even torture.
On Thursday, 21 May 2026, Herman stated that uncertainty continued to shroud the volunteers even after their release from detention. They received no explanation regarding where they were being taken by Israeli soldiers. “The handcuffs were removed, but there was no information; we were just told to walk. We asked where we were going, but were simply ordered to move. It turned out we were being taken to the airport,” Herman revealed.
At the airport, Herman noticed several aircraft, including Turkish planes, which provided a clue regarding their deportation destination. This moment also marked a reunion with other volunteers who had been separated during detention. On that day, 422 activists from various nations, including 85 Turkish citizens, were flown out of Israel following the interception of the GSF fleet. The volunteers eventually landed in Turkey, where members of the GSF had been on standby in Istanbul to assist with the worst-case scenario.
Maimon Herawati, Coordinator of Global Peace Convoy Indonesia and Steering Committee of the Global Sumud Flotilla, stated that a network of volunteers had formed teams in Istanbul, Egypt, Jordan, and Cyprus to anticipate various repatriation scenarios, providing clothing, mobile phones, medical aid, and legal assistance.
The release of the volunteers was the result of the GSF network’s work alongside legal teams, bolstered by international pressure from various countries condemning Israel’s actions. However, the mission faced further logistical hurdles. Initially, the Turkish government had only prepared one aircraft with a capacity of approximately 150 people, which was insufficient for the 422 volunteers. Following negotiations, the Steering Committee successfully requested additional aircraft. Three planes were eventually dispatched to Ramon Airport in Eilat to transport the volunteers to Istanbul.
Maimon also expressed appreciation for the Indonesian government’s support in facilitating the volunteers’ return from Turkey to Indonesia. Meanwhile, the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 mission also faced land-based obstacles. A land convoy travelling from Libya towards Rafah was blocked in Sirte, Eastern Libya, and prevented from proceeding to the Gaza border. Additionally, thousands of aid trucks waiting at the Egyptian border faced similar fates, with some reportedly carrying expired food due to the prolonged delays.