Condemns Israeli Attack On Rafah, Indonesian Ministry Of Foreign Affairs: Part Of A Strategy To Force Palestinians To Leave Their Land

Israeli military land operations in Gaza. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - Indonesia strongly condemns Israel's attack on the city of Rafah, located south of the Gaza Strip, urging the UN Security Council to stop the alert.

Joint operations by Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel's domestic security service Shin Bet and Special Police Unit in Rafah released Fernando Simon Marman (60) and Louis Hare (70) Israeli military said Monday.

The military said the two were kidnapped by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7, in good condition and taken to the Tel Hashomer Medical Complex (Sheba Medical Center). At the same time, he continued, airstrikes were carried out to allow troops to be withdrawn from the site of operation.

"Indonesia strongly condemns airstrikes on shelters for Gazans in Rafah, which have claimed lives, and its land attack plans," wrote Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lalu M. Iqbal in a statement to reporters, Tuesday, February 13.

Israel's attack on Rafah came a day after President Biden made a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirming his stance that the Israeli military should not continue ground attacks on the Rafah "without credible and executable plans" to ensure the safety of civilians.

"The attack is believed to be part of a major Israeli scenario to force Palestinians out of their lands and at the same time eliminate the future of Palestinian independence," said Iqbal.

The Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health in Gaza told CNN that at least 94 people died as a result of an Israeli attack on Rafah City. The ministry also said it was still in the process of picking up and identifying bodies, and the death toll is expected to rise.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Red Crescent said more than 100 people had died as a result of the attack on Rafah. PRCS added that there are still many people trapped under the rubble and the death toll may increase.

It is known that the Ministry of Health in Gaza only updated the death toll after the body was identified, making the difference with the number reported by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.

"Indonesia once again urges the UN Security Council to act immediately to stop the Israeli attack. International humanitarian law must be enforced," concluded Iqbal.