Mother Reveals Last Contact with Journalist Thoudy Badai Before He Was Taken Captive by Israel

Bandung, West Java – The mother of journalist Thoudy Badai, Hani Hanifa Humanisa (56), has revealed the last contact with her son before reports that he had been taken captive by Israeli troops during a humanitarian mission toward Gaza. Hani said the last communication with the family occurred on Monday, 18 May at 02:19 WIB, when her son was in international waters on the way from Marmaris to Gaza. “That was when we were still in contact up to yesterday, Monday at 02:19 WIB, and he sent a message saying he had reached international waters, which should mean he was safe,” she said in Bandung, West Java, on Tuesday. She added that communications during the journey were limited and only at certain times according to field conditions. “Not frequent at all; only at certain moments. Usually when shifts change or we ask about his condition, things like where to eat or where he is,” she said. Hani explained that the family had long discussions about the risks that might be faced in the mission before departure, including the worst-case scenario that had been stated from the outset. “We talked with Odi (Thoudy Badai) at length. I asked how he was in general, then about the risks, what the worst risks might be. We already knew the conditions there,” she said. She stated that initially she did not give permission when Thoudy was undergoing training in Tunisia in preparation for Gaza, but later granted permission after seeing her son’s conviction and readiness. “At that time I did not give permission because of deep anxiety. But I saw there was passion (enthusiasm) in Odi, so it was allowed,” she said. Hani also said the decision to allow the departure was taken after her son expressed a high level of certainty about joining the mission. On that occasion she said the family understood the complexities on the ground and entrusted the handling of her son’s repatriation to the Indonesian government. “We have full trust in the Indonesian Government, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant units, which we believe are working through diplomatic channels to ensure the safety and repatriation of the volunteers,” she said.