7-11-2023 (JAKARTA) Indonesia’s Defense Minister, Prabowo Subianto, has announced that he has submitted an offer to send a hospital ship to Palestine to provide much-needed medical treatment during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Speaking after a meeting with the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Zuhair Al-Shun, Subianto revealed that he had discussed the offer in detail with the ambassador and reported the plan to President Joko Widodo and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.
Subianto also expressed his intention to coordinate with the Egyptian Ambassador in Jakarta to determine the logistics and delivery process for the hospital ship. He further stated that all Indonesian military hospitals would welcome Palestinians from Gaza who require medical attention. Efforts are being made to coordinate with relevant parties to facilitate the transfer of individuals in need of treatment to Indonesian military hospitals.
In addition to the hospital ship offer, Subianto shared that 22 Palestinian cadets have already arrived at Indonesia’s Defense University to pursue undergraduate programs, including medicine and engineering, for a duration of five years. The official reception for these students is scheduled to take place on Tuesday evening.
Ambassador Al-Shun expressed gratitude for Indonesia’s support and assistance to Palestine, thanking the government and people of Indonesia. He discussed the current situation in Palestine and stressed the need to put an immediate end to Israel’s violence against Palestinian civilians. The ambassador also expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s offer to send a hospital ship and for granting the opportunity for 22 Palestinian cadets to study at Indonesia’s Defense University.
The recent escalation of the conflict between Palestine and Israel began on October 7, 2023, after a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel. Prior to this attack, Israel had maintained the closure of Gaza crossings, exacerbating the living conditions of Palestinians in the region. The Palestinians have already endured the severe consequences of more than 17 years of Israeli land, sea, and air blockades, as reported by Palestine’s news agency, WAFA.
Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, stated that its assault on Israel was a response to the desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and escalating settler violence. In retaliation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas, vowing to destroy all hideouts associated with the organization.
The ongoing Israeli campaign in the Gaza Strip, home to over two million people, has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians and has led to a dire humanitarian crisis. Indonesia’s offer to send a hospital ship reflects its commitment to providing vital medical assistance to those affected by the conflict in Palestine.
