Indonesia ships fresh aid consignment to Gaza as Israel continues attacks

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Indonesia on Monday sent a second consignment of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, a besieged Palestinian enclave under a relentless Israeli aggression for more than a month.

President Joko Widodo said more than 21 tons of aid which included food, medicine, mattresses, blankets, hygiene kits, and hospital equipment were flown to Egypt in two flights from Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in the capital Jakarta.

The humanitarian aid will be distributed in the Gaza Strip, he said on X.

"Apart from providing humanitarian assistance, Indonesia will also continue to provide political support to Palestine. Indonesia will continue to support the struggle of the Palestinian people," said the president, popular as Jokowi.

Pahala Mansury, Indonesia's deputy foreign minister, said Jakarta was working with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and the Egyptian Red Cross to ensure that the aid can be transported to several points inside Gaza.

The first shipment of aid was seen off by Jokowi on Nov. 4.

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry said the first shipment of aid crossed into Gaza on Nov. 9-10, where it was distributed by the Palestine Red Crescent Society to various refugee gathering points.

Indonesia, the world's most populated Muslim nation in the Southeast Asia, has witnessed huge gatherings, rallies and demonstrations in support of Palestine.

Since Israel started bombing Gaza following an Oct. 7 Hamas attack, the death toll in the blockaded strip has reached 13,000, including over 5,500 children and 3,500 women, according to the latest figures by Palestinian authorities.

The number of injured people has exceeded 30,000, with more than 75% of them being children and women.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques and churches, have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel's relentless air and ground attacks.

An Israeli blockade has also cut Gaza off from fuel, electricity and water supplies, and reduced aid deliveries to a small trickle.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.