Volunteers Return Home: 'Alhamdulillah, But Gaza Humanitarian Mission Unfinished'

Nine Global Sumud Flotila volunteers abducted by Israeli soldiers earlier this week have finally arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Sunday, 24 May 2026 afternoon. Among the nine volunteers are two Republika journalists, Thoudy Badai and Bambang Noroyono. All volunteers expressed gratitude for returning home but stressed that the humanitarian mission for oppressed Palestinians remains unfinished.

“Alhamdulillah, we’ve arrived. It’s tiring; this was a long journey,” said Rahendro Herubowo, a volunteer from Global Peace Convoy Indonesia, to Republika on Sunday.

Another volunteer stressed that their return should not signal the end of humanitarian aid efforts for Palestinians. “We must fight harder!” they said.

Republika journalist Bambang Noroyono, also known as Abeng, added that he was grateful to return home but stressed the humanitarian mission for Palestine remains unfinished. “Continue supporting Palestine! Keep calling for Palestinian independence!” he said.

Tempo TV journalist Andre Prasetyo Nugroho added that the Indonesian public must not forget to voice concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, where genocide is being committed by Israeli forces.

Another Republika journalist, Thoudy Badai, said the volunteers’ ordeal pales in comparison to the suffering of Gaza’s residents and the Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.

“Nearly 10,000 Gazans are being held without cause by the Israeli government with no certainty of release to their families,” Badai said.

Mainum Herawati, a member of the Steering Committee for Global Sumud Flotila 2.0 from Indonesia, stated that efforts to break the Israeli blockade must continue. She urged volunteers and citizens to keep attempting to deliver aid to Palestinians.