Condemns Israel's actions at the ruins of the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Not a Place for Military Propaganda

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns Israel's actions at the ruins of the Indonesian Hospital in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, stressing that the building is dedicated to medical services, not propaganda or intimidation.

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry's condemnation came in line with the protest against Israel's actions in putting up a "Rising Israel" banner on top of the ruins of the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza.

"The use of military symbols and propaganda on the ruins of a destroyed hospital, especially when associated with a specific military operation, is a very provocative and unjustified act," the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on the X social media, Wednesday (22/4).

The banner, which features the Israeli flag and Hebrew writing that reads "Behold a nation arise like a lion, and like a lioness that lifts herself up" with reference to a verse from the Torah, quoted by Roya News, added that "The Rising Lion" was the code name of the Israeli military operation in the war during the 12th of June 2025.

Images of the action circulated in Israel on Monday. The 9208th Battalion of the Negev Brigade, which was celebrating Memorial Day (April 20) and Israel's Independence Day (April 21), was said to be behind the action.

"Indonesian Hospital is a civilian facility dedicated entirely to providing medical services to the people of Gaza, not a place for military propaganda or intimidation," said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"This action is an insult to humanitarian facilities that were built from the solidarity of the Indonesian people for the Palestinian people," the ministry said.

The Gaza Indonesia Hospital, which is located in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, is known to be frequently targeted by Israeli forces, since the latest conflict in Gaza broke out on October 7, 2023.

Once besieged and occupied by Israel at the end of 2023, the hospital reopened in June 2024. The hospital was eventually unable to provide health services as announced by the Gaza Ministry of Health on January 4, following the Israeli army's invasion the day before, quoted from Al Jazeera.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added, "Indonesia reiterates that hospitals and all medical facilities must be respected and protected under international humanitarian law.

"Indonesia urges Israel to stop all actions that violate the protection of civilian infrastructure and ensure accountability for attacks on medical facilities in Gaza," the ministry concluded.