MER-C: Indonesian Hospital In Gaza Strip Still Monitored By Israeli Army

Israeli soldiers from the Nahal Infantry Brigade in the Gaza Strip. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian humanitarian organization, the Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C), reports that Indonesian hospitals in North Gaza, the Gaza Strip, Palestine, are still under the supervision of the Israeli army even though a ceasefire has been imposed.

Local volunteers in North Gaza reviewed the hospital's condition after the ceasefire officially took effect on Friday (10/10), according to a written statement by MER-C, reported by ANTARA, Thursday, October 16.

According to the volunteer, the Israeli army is still surviving around the Indonesian hospital, especially at the back of the hospital complex.

"I can only enter the Wisma Joserizal Journalism from the south because of Israeli tanks and gunfire that have not stopped," he said.

Wisma di rumah RS Indonesia itu, yang selama ini digunakan sebagai tempat tinggal dan pusat koordinasi relawan, dilaporkan mengalami kerusakan parah. Lumbang besangga di bagian dindingnya dan barang-barang di dalam wisata tersebut tersebar.

After the ceasefire was imposed, residents who had previously fled had returned to their homes in North Gaza, either on foot or riding a truck.

A number of aids have also reportedly begun to enter the North Gaza region, according to the MER-C.

Since Israel launched the war in October 2023 until the ceasefire was reached this month, Indonesian hospitals have not escaped attacks by Israeli forces despite international law prohibiting soldiers from attacking health facilities and workers.

In November 2023, the operation ward of the Indonesian Hospital was attacked by Israeli soldiers so that medical equipment was damaged.

The hospital was again hit by Israeli airstrikes in October 2024. At the same time, Israel also opened fire on refugees who remained around the hospital gates.

The Zionist regime's military again surrounded the Indonesian hospital in May which paralyzed all health services. Patients and health workers who were still surviving were expelled and the hospital was forcibly vacated in early June.