Bogor, W Java (ANTARA) - The Syiah Kuala University (USK) in Aceh province is planning to raise funds for Palestine on Thursday evening (November 16, 2023) as a form of concrete support for the humanitarian mission for Palestinians.

USK Rector Professor Marwan shared the plan in a statement published on the university's official website, which was accessed by ANTARA here on Wednesday

Marwan urged the university's students, employees, and community members to join the fundraising initiative that will start at 9 p.m. local time on Thursday.

The fundraiser will be attended by the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Zuhair S.M. Al Shun, he said.

"This is a call of our conscience as part of the Muslim community and humanity to respond to what has been happening in Palestine as a result of the Israeli aggression," he added.

Professor Marwan urged those attending the fundraising activity to prepare their best donation. The funds collected by USK will be handed over to Ambassador Al Shun.

Those wishing to make a donation can also transfer funds to Rumah Amal Masjid Unsyiah's BSI account (number 1058125764), he informed while appealing to the people at large to donate for the people of Palestine.

Fresh armed conflict erupted between Palestine and Israel following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel early in the morning of October 7.

Prior to the assault by Palestinian liberation fighters, the Israeli government had continued its closure of Gaza crossings.

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Palestine's news agency WAFA reported on September 25 that the Israeli closure of Gaza crossings had worsened the living conditions of Palestinians in Gaza.

According to the news agency, the Palestinians were already suffering from the severe impact of "more than 17 years of tight Israeli land, sea, and air blockades."

Al Jazeera quoted Hamas, which governs Gaza, as stating that its assault on Israel was "a response to the desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence."

In response to the unprecedented surprise attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas. According to Al Jazeera, he pledged that Israeli forces would "turn all Hamas hideouts into rubble."

So far, the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, followed by a ground invasion in the besieged enclave, has reportedly killed more than 11,300 Palestinian civilians.

Two-thirds of those killed in Gaza are women and children, Al Jazeera reported.

The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza has also worsened the humanitarian crisis and caused hospitals to suspend operations due to the unavailability of fuel and water supplies.

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Reporter: Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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