Matta emphasized that the underway recovery activities in Gaza do not justify relocation plans.
"We cannot accept the relocation from Gaza. Reconstruction is not a reason for relocation. Until now, there has been no discussion about that," he remarked at the Presidential Palace Complex on Wednesday (January 22).
In terms of support for the Palestinian people in Gaza, Matta indicated that the Indonesian government is currently coordinating with several parties to send aid.
Earlier, NBC News, a US-based media outlet, reported that one of the US officials stated that Donald Trump's Middle East Envoy, Steve Witkoff, planned to visit Gaza to ensure the ceasefire deal.
In the same news, Trump and his team were also said to be considering a long-term solution to end the conflict in Gaza, including the fate of two million Palestinians in Gaza.
"Indonesia, for example, is one of the places discussed as a destination (for relocation) for some of (the Gaza residents)," NBC wrote as quoted from the official.
The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry then released a statement on January 21 stating that Indonesia never planned to relocate Gaza's residents.
The government chose to avoid various speculations and was consistent in its stance to not accept any form of plan to relocate the Palestinian people in Gaza.
As stated by the ministry, the government believes that the relocation is Israel's plan to expel the Palestinian people from Gaza to continue their illegal occupation activities in the Palestinian territories.
"Indonesia remains firm in its position that any attempt to relocate the people of Gaza is unacceptable," the ministry emphasized.
Translator: Genta Tenri M, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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