Thoudy Badai's last contact with his family before capture by the Israeli Defence Forces
The mother of journalist Thoudy Badai, Hani Hanifa Humanisa (56), has revealed the last contact with her son before reports emerged that he had been captured by the Israeli Defence Forces while taking part in a humanitarian mission to 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 en route from Marmaris to Gaza.
“I was in contact up until 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, 19 May.
According to her, communications during the journey were limited and occurred only at particular times depending on field conditions.
“There wasn’t frequent communication, only at certain moments. Usually when there was a shift change or we asked about the conditions, such as where they were eating or where they were,” she added.
Hani explained that the family had engaged in lengthy discussions about the risks likely to be faced in the mission before departure, including the worst-case scenarios that had been conveyed from the outset.
“We had long talks with Odi (Thoudy Badai). I asked about his general condition, then about the risks and how bad the worst-case risk could be. We already know the situation there,” she said.
She noted that initially she did not give consent for Thoudy to join training in Tunisia in preparation for Gaza, but later allowed it after seeing her son’s conviction and readiness.
“At that time I did not grant permission because of deep concerns. However I saw there was a passion in Odi, so I allowed it,” she said.
Hani also stated that the decision to permit departure was taken after her son expressed his conviction to join the mission.
During the interview she said the family understood the complexity of the on-the-ground situation and delegated the management of her son’s return to the Indonesian Government, trusting diplomacy to secure his safety.
“We place our full trust in the Indonesian Government, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant agencies, which we believe are working through diplomatic channels to ensure the safety and return of the volunteers,” she said.
She also said the family continues to monitor developments and awaits official information from the authorities regarding Thoudy Badai’s condition.
The family hopes that ongoing communications and diplomatic efforts will proceed smoothly so that the volunteers involved can soon receive clear information. (Ant/ P-3)
According to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of the nine Indonesians who joined Peace Convoy Indonesia on the GSF 2.0 mission, five have been reported captured.
One humanitarian activist from Makassar, Andi Angga Prasadewa, 32, was among the five Indonesians abducted by the Israeli Defence Forces during the humanitarian mission to Gaza, Palestine.
Turkey condemned the actions of the Israeli forces intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters as it headed to the Gaza Strip.
South Korean activist Kim Dong-hyeon is believed to have been detained by the Israeli Navy after the Kyriakos X was intercepted in Cypriot waters while sailing with the Global Sumud Flotilla toward Gaza.
Member of the DPR’s Commission I, Cindy Monica Salsabila Setiawan, urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take active diplomatic steps to secure the release of the nine Indonesians, including the journalist among the Global Sumud Flotilla who were detained by Israel.