‘Still Hiding’: Hanan’s Innocent Wait for Father’s Return from Israeli Detention

TANGERANG — Hanan (9), son of Ronggo Wirasanu, an Indonesian citizen previously detained by Israeli soldiers, eagerly awaited his father’s arrival at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Sunday (24 May 2026) afternoon.

He kept glancing towards the international arrivals gate at the end of Lounge Haji Terminal 3.

This afternoon, Ronggo Wirasanu was scheduled to arrive with eight other Indonesians.

“Welcome home, Father Ronggo, my hero,” read the black ink on the cardboard sign. Beneath the text was a drawing of a man with curly hair and a beard.

Smiling, Hanan held the sign while standing at the front of the welcoming crowd. A half-full blue water bottle hung around his neck. His white bucket hat matched the white T-shirt he wore that afternoon.

Hanan’s presence at the front drew attention from journalists also waiting for the nine Indonesians.

When greeted by media, Hanan said he had not seen his father for a month.

“I haven’t seen him for a month. Happy to see him again,” Hanan said.

“When my father left, I saw him off,” he added.

After answering journalists’ questions, Hanan glanced again towards the end of Lounge Haji. He had not yet spotted his father. Innocently, he said the group of nine Indonesians were still hiding.