Strongly Condemning Israel's Military Assault on Jenin Palestine, Indonesia Urges UN Security Council to Take Firm Action

The Israeli military when it invaded Jenin January 2023. (Wikimedia Commons/IDF Spokesperson's Unit photographer)

JAKARTA - Indonesia strongly condemns the Israeli military attack on the Jenin area, West Bank, urging the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take firm action, in a statement Tuesday.

The Israeli military carried out a major assault on the West Bank city of Jenin, one of the largest military operations in the region in twenty years, involving hundreds of troops and drones, killing eight Palestinians while dozens were injured throughout Monday.

"Indonesia strongly condemns the Israeli military attack on Jenin, West Bank, which left dozens of Palestinian civilians dead and injured," the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote in a tweet on Twitter, as quoted on July 4.

Furthermore, Indonesia considers that the attack only worsened the humanitarian situation in Palestine, and made it difficult for peace efforts in the region.

"This military attack is unacceptable and only exacerbates the humanitarian situation in Palestine and complicates peace efforts," wrote the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Related to the attack, Indonesia asked the United Nations through the Security Council to take firm action.

"Israel's actions cannot go unpunished. The UN Security Council must immediately take a firm stance in consistently implementing all UN Security Council Resolutions," said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Indonesia mengecam keras serangan militer Israel di Jenin, Tepi Barat, yang sebabkan puluhan warga sipil Palestina tewas dan luka-luka.

— MoFA Indonesia (@Kemlu_RI) July 4, 2023

As previously reported, Israel carried out one of the largest military attacks in the West Bank region since 2002, deploying drones to soldiers who are said to be at the level of a brigade. Quoting TASS from the Palestinian WAFA news agency, the Israeli air force carried out a missile attack on a Palestinian refugee camp in Jenin and the surrounding area on Monday night.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed at least eight people had been killed and more than 50 injured in Jenin. Meanwhile, another man died in Ramallah, shot in the head at a checkpoint.

The Israeli military said its troops attacked a building serving as a command center for fighters from the Jenin Brigade, a move it said was extensive counterterrorism to destroy infrastructure and disrupt militants using the refugee camp as a base, citing Reuters.

An Israeli military spokesman said the operation would last as long as needed, with troops able to be maintained for the long term.

"It could be hours, but it could be days. We are focused on our goals," he said.

Separately, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the operation "a new war crime against our defenseless people". Meanwhile, UN Envoy to the Middle East Tor Wennesland said he was talking with all sides, to reduce tensions and ensure humanitarian access.