Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia is continuing to find "whatever ways" it can to get aid packages delivered to Palestinians who have been suffering under the Israeli aggression in Gaza since October 7, 2023, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said.

Aid deliveries to Gaza remain hampered by Israel, she informed on the sidelines of an iftar (breaking-of-the-fast) gathering at the Indonesian parliament building here on Monday.

Despite the tense situation, the Indonesian government is continuing to find ways to have the aid packages delivered and received by those in dire need of help, Marsudi said.

She also reiterated Indonesia's support for the Palestinian people's struggle for independence, saying all Indonesians are united with the government in the fight for Palestinians and efforts to provide assistance to them.

During the iftar gathering held by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Marsudi met with MPR leaders and visiting Palestinian imams.

"This 'silaturrahim' (gathering for maintaining social ties) is so important to restrengthen our commitment to supporting the struggle of Palestinians," she said.

The struggle has been difficult, she noted, adding that the road that must be taken now and in the future remains tough.

Marsudi then shared the latest developments in the Israel-Palestine conflict, informing that on March 25, 2024, the UN Security Council finally passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan.

According to UN News, Resolution 2728 also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and underlines the urgent need to expand the flow of aid into Gaza.

ANTARA reported earlier that the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip erupted following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel early in the morning of October 7, 2023.

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

Palestine's news agency WAFA reported on September 25, 2023, that Israeli closure of the crossings had worsened the living conditions of Palestinians in Gaza.

According to WAFA, the Palestinians were already suffering from the severe impacts 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 and, according to Al Jazeera, pledged that Israeli forces would "turn all Hamas hideouts into rubble."

Al Jazeera reported that since the war began on October 7, the Israeli aggression has killed more than 32,782 Palestinian civilians and wounded at least 75,298 others.

It has also triggered a humanitarian crisis. According to Al Jazeera, the Hamas attack on October 7 resulted in the deaths of 1,139 people in Israel.

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Translator: Fauzi, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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