JakartaPost-Nov 22
Jakarta has welcomed a temporary cease-fire agreement between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas while continuing its efforts to find a permanent solution to the conflict in Gaza. “Indonesia welcomes the temporary humanitarian pause agreement in Gaza to allow for wide access for humanitarian aid to Gaza, including from the government and people of Indonesia,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. Qatar, which has been mediating between the belligerents in Gaza, announced on Wednesday that both sides had agreed to a four-day cease-fire, during which Hamas would release 50 Israeli hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners. Israel has made clear that once the four days have elapsed, it will continue its operation to eradicate Hamas. Indonesia said the agreement could help “start serious discussions toward a comprehensive and just peace” and bring the parties closer to ending conflict in the region for good. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, along with a band of foreign ministers from Muslim-majority countries, including the Palestinian Authority’s top diplomat, are on a journey to London and Paris in an effort to lift the siege on Gaza and start a lasting peace process. They are to meet with United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Cameron and French President Emmanuel Macron as part of their nearly week-long series of visits to the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which hold significant sway over the conflict but have been deadlocked by political disagreement. Read more at:
