Strong Condemnation Of Israeli Attacks On Lebanon, Foreign Minister Retno: Violence And Aggression Cannot Be New Normal

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (Twitter/@Menlu_RI)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said violence and aggression should not become new normal when asserting that Indonesia strongly condemns Israel's attack on Lebanon.

This was conveyed by Foreign Minister Retno on the sidelines following the agenda of the annual UN General Assembly in New York, United States.

"Indonesia strongly condemns the Israeli attack on Lebanon which resulted in the victims of hundreds of civilian lives, including 50 children," Foreign Minister Retno said in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as quoted on September 25.

Foreign Minister Retno further said the attack escalated the escalation of the situation in the Middle East which is still facing a humanitarian crisis from Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

"This violence and aggression should not be a new normal," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Foreign Minister Retno said the UN Security Council and the international community must take decisive steps to encourage de-escalation and stop continuing violence.

Regarding the condition of Indonesian citizens in Lebanon, Foreign Minister Retno said the Indonesian government through the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut continues to monitor and has prepared contingency steps in anticipating emergency conditions.

"Indonesia also urges respect for the safety of UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon. Currently, Indonesia has 1,232 personnel at UNIFIL," said Foreign Minister Retno.

He added that the oppression of the Palestinian people is at the root of conflict problems, and peace in the Middle East will never be achieved without justice for Palestine.

Israel launched an expanded attack on Lebanese territory on the pretext of targeting the Hezbollah militant group's targets.

Lebanese Ministry of Health said at least 560 people were killed and 1,835 others injured as a result of Israeli attacks over the past two days, quoted by Al Jazeera.

The Hezbollah group and Israel have been involved in attacking each other on the Lebanese border over the past year, following the outbreak of the conflict in the Gaza Strip with Hezbollah expressing its support for the Palestinian militant group Hamas.