Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi is advocating for an end to violence in Palestine through international collaboration, while preparing evacuation plans for Indonesian citizens in the region amidst escalating conflict and casualties in Gaza.
Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi is actively engaging with several nations and international organizations to advocate for an end to the violence affecting Palestine. In a brief communication with ANTARA, Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, highlighted discussions held between Minister Marsudi and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira on Monday in Jakarta. Notably, Brazil presently presides over the United Nations Security Council. The Indonesian government is also closely monitoring the welfare of its citizens in Palestine and has commenced preparations for their potential evacuation. Iqbal outlined various contingency plans, which may involve evacuating Indonesian citizens through neighboring countries like Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt. As part of these efforts, the Indonesian embassies in Amman, Beirut, and Cairo are collaborating with relevant parties to facilitate the evacuation of their nationals currently in Palestinian territories. This includes addressing the immediate concern of ten Indonesian citizens situated in the Gaza Strip, a region that has faced intense military action. According to recent data from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, there are 45 Indonesian citizens in Palestine, including the ten in Gaza. The situation in Gaza has escalated significantly, with reports indicating that the Israeli military has conducted airstrikes on 426 properties linked to Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic militant organization. Following these strikes, numerous civilian structures, including residential buildings and hospitals, have been destroyed, leading to tragic casualties, with the Palestinian Ministry of Health reporting nearly 400 deaths and over 2,000 injuries. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has indicated an alarming rise in the number of refugees, with approximately 74,000 individuals currently sheltered across 64 facilities, a figure likely to grow as the violence persists, particularly in civilian zones.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine continues to elicit international concern, particularly regarding the safety of civilians in affected areas. The violence has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, prompting governments globally to consider the welfare of their citizens in those regions. Indonesia has expressed a strong interest in supporting Palestinian rights and engaging in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region. The recent airstrikes by the Israeli military have intensified calls for international intervention to halt the violence and provide humanitarian assistance to those affected.
In conclusion, Indonesia’s diplomatic initiatives reflect a commitment to addressing the ongoing violence in Palestine while prioritizing the safety of its citizens abroad. The government’s proactive measures for potential evacuations underscore the urgency of the situation, as military actions continue to escalate and threaten civilian lives. Indonesia’s ongoing dialogues with international stakeholders, particularly Brazil, aim to forge a collective response to these pressing humanitarian concerns.
Original Source: en.antaranews.com
