VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi discussed the worsening situation in the Gaza Strip due to the latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict during a bilateral meeting with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on Monday.

During the meeting, Marsudi invited Lithuania to join in the call for an immediate end to civilian attacks and provision of sustainable, safe, and smooth humanitarian assistance for victims.

"In 3 weeks, more than 7 thousand people were killed in Gaza, 68 percent of them (were) women and children. Are these numbers not enough to stop the killings, and initiate an immediate and long-lasting humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of conflict?" she asked.

She then emphasized that all countries must defend justice and humanity.

"For this matter, Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian land must be ended based on internationally agreed parameters," she added.

In response to her invitation, Minister Landsbergis said that Lithuania and Indonesia are countries that adhere to international regulations to guarantee security and prosperity.

He noted that global communities are also facing challenges due to the war between Russia and Ukraine, and the latest conflict in the Middle East could lead to other crises in the future.

"Any disruption to the international order causes harm and impacts us all," Landsbergis said.

Israel launched strikes against Gaza on October 7, in retaliation to cross-border attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which killed 1,400 people. The group also took around 200 people hostage.

Meanwhile, the number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza increased to 8,005, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly, according to their Health Ministry.

The United Nations General Assembly on October 27 approved a draft resolution calling for an immediate, long-lasting, and sustainable humanitarian truce in Gaza.

The draft resolution received 120 votes in favor, including from Indonesia, while Lithuania was one of the 45 countries that abstained from voting. Fourteen countries rejected the resolution.

The resolution condemned "all acts of violence aimed at Palestinian and Israeli civilians, including all acts of terrorism and indiscriminate attacks, as well as all acts of provocation, incitement, and destruction."

The resolution also demanded that "all parties immediately and fully comply with their obligations under international law," and called for the "immediate and unconditional release of all civilians held hostage illegally."

The UN resolution also highlighted the importance of "preventing further destabilization and escalation of violence in the region." (Antaranews)