Indonesia reiterates commitment to peace, cease-fire in Gaza

ANKARA

Indonesia on Thursday reiterated its commitment to “peace efforts and the promotion” of a much-demanded cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

“Our focus remains on achieving peace, which involves advocating for a cease-fire and ensuring that humanitarian aid can be delivered without obstacles,” Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said during a press conference at the Presidential Palace, local English daily Jakarta Globe reported.

Her remarks came days after the appointment of Yahya Sinwar as the new Hamas leader following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.

Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of assassinating Haniyeh, but Tel Aviv has not denied or confirmed its responsibility.

Reiterating Jakarta’s support for a two-state solution as the basis for peace between Israel and Palestine, Rento highlighted her country’s “active” role in supporting Palestinian independence and its efforts to gain UN recognition.

Hamas appointed Sinwar as its new political chief on Tuesday. He is the most wanted Hamas leader by Israel, with Tel Aviv accusing him of masterminding the Oct. 7 cross-border attack last year by the group which prompted Israel to launch a devastating military campaign in the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 40,000 people, according to local health authorities.

Over 10 months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.