Indonesia Focuses On Pushing For Termination Of Violence, Efforts To Evacuate 10 Indonesian Citizens In Gaza

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government is focusing on efforts to stop violence in Gaza in order to prevent an increase in civilian casualties, a spokesman for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.

"The current focus of the Indonesian government is on humanitarian situations, in particular how to encourage efforts to stop the escalation of violence and avoid more civilian casualties," said Lalu M. Iqbal in a written statement, Tuesday, October 9.

He further said that along with efforts to stop violence, the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi continued to communicate with a number of countries and international organizations.

"This was also discussed when the Indonesian Foreign Minister met with the Brazilian Foreign Minister on October 9 (in Jakarta)," he continued, adding that Brazil currently serves as President of the UN Security Council.

Regarding the condition of Indonesian citizens there, Iqbal said the government had prepared a contingency plan for the evacuation of Indonesian citizens with several scenarios of the situation.

"Currently, the government through the Indonesian Embassy in Amman, the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut and the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo are coordinating with various parties to evacuate Indonesian citizens in the Palestinian territories, especially 10 Indonesian citizens who are in the Gaza Strip," said Iqbal.

Regarding the latest developments in the situation, the government has also issued an appeal regarding the safety and security of Indonesian citizens.

"Considering the latest security situation and for the safety of Indonesian citizens, the Indonesian government appealed to Indonesian citizens in the Palestinian and Israeli territories to immediately leave the region. And for those who have planned trips to the two regions, to cancel their plans until further notice from the government," the government urged on the website of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

More than 1,000 people were killed after Hamas militants broke through the border fence separating Israel from the blockaded Gaza Strip and began killing and kidnapping Israelis.

At least 700 people have died in Israel, according to the military, and more than 570 in Gaza and the West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. Meanwhile, hundreds of people have been kidnapped