Jakarta, IO – The armed conflict between Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, and Israel broke out on Saturday (7/10) after a coordinated attack launched by the former.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded strongly to the attack. Israel declares war for the first time since 1973, per CNNIndonesia, Monday (9/10).
A high-ranking Israeli defense force official responsible for activities in the Palestinian territories even said Hamas had “opened the gates of hell.”
According to the Israeli news agency, Israel’s declaration of war refers to Article 40 of Israel’s Basic Law.
To date, the attack has killed and injured thousands of people on both sides. Israel evacuated around 260 bodies from a music festival attacked by Hamas.
Israel then pounded Gaza with air strikes that killed more than 300 people. In addition, 1,800 others were injured.
Gunfight is still ongoing between Hamas militants and Israeli military forces in several areas. A number of Israeli citizens were also reportedly taken hostage by Hamas.
Indonesia expressed concern over the civilian victims and urged the violence to be stopped immediately.
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“Indonesia is very concerned about the increasing escalation of the conflict between Palestine and Israel. Indonesia urges acts of violence to be stopped immediately to avoid increasing human casualties,” stated Foreign Ministry (Kemlu) via its official X (Twitter) account.
Kemlu said that the roots of the conflict must be resolved immediately according to the parameters agreed upon by the United Nations (UN). (un)