JAKARTA: Indonesia’s Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) has strongly denounced the Israeli airstrikes in the besieged Gaza Strip, which claimed the life of one of its workers and targeted an Indonesian hospital on Saturday.
The humanitarian non-governmental organization has called on the Indonesian Government to request an emergency session of the UN Security Council to address the devastating Israeli bombardments, which have reportedly resulted in the deaths of nearly 200 Palestinians.
MER-C Head Sarbini Abdul Murad stated, “We condemn the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza that targeted hospitals.” Abu Romzi, who had been working as a local staff member for MER-C in Gaza since 2011, lost his life in the airstrikes.
Israel launched the airstrikes in Gaza following a surprise attack by Hamas earlier in the day, resulting in the deaths of at least 198 Palestinians, as reported by the territory’s Health Ministry, as well as over 1,600 injuries.
Murad has urged the Indonesian Government to call for a special meeting of the UN Security Council to address the deadly Israeli bombardments in Gaza. He also called for authorities to facilitate access for aid distribution to the affected areas, emphasizing the need to open access to Gaza borders for immediate international assistance.
Jakarta confirmed one of its medic in Palestine were killed after Israeli air strike hits the Indonesian hospital. The medical and humanitarian NGO urges the Indonesian government to request the UN.
— Sleetstream 🍉 (@BlueHelvetical) October 8, 2023
The Indonesian Hospital in Gaza was among the targets of the Israeli airstrikes on Saturday. Witnesses from MER-C reported hearing loud explosions caused by rockets fired by Israeli fighter jets. These rockets struck the vicinity of the Dr. Joserizal Jurnalis Residence and destroyed an operational MER-C vehicle parked in front of the residence. Abu Romzi, who was near an ambulance at the time, fell victim to the attack and was rushed to the Indonesian Hospital.
MER-C further reported that the Israeli bombardments also damaged the Dr. Joserizal Jurnalis residence, which accommodates volunteers working in the Indonesian Hospital.
Media reports indicate that Israel conducted the strikes in Gaza in retaliation for the Operation Al Aqsa Flood launched by Hamas forces into Israel earlier in the day. The Palestinian operation resulted in casualties among Israelis, although the exact numbers have yet to be verified.
In addition to targeting residential areas, Israeli warplanes also carried out airstrikes on medical personnel in Gaza. According to Palestinian news agency WAFA, one of the strikes targeted an ambulance at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, while another struck the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza.
