Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia condemned Israel's attempts to undermine the Gaza ceasefire, including violating the initial terms of the ceasefire, unilaterally demanding an extension of its first phase, and refusing to engage in talks on its second phase.
Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday that blocking humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and using it as leverage in ceasefire negotiations constitutes war crimes.
Israel's actions are blatant violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, the ministry added.
Therefore, Indonesia has urged the international community to pressure Israel to promptly allow aid deliveries and resume talks on phase two, per the ceasefire's terms.
Indonesia has also reaffirmed its unwavering support for the two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace in the region.
Palestine has warned of consequences from the Israeli decision to halt the entry of humanitarian aid into the war-torn Gaza Strip, just hours after the expiry of the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.
The first six-week phase of the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on January 19, 2025, officially ended at midnight on Saturday (March 2).
However, Israel has not agreed to move forward to the second phase of the deal to bring an end to the war in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had sought to extend the initial exchange phase to secure the release of as many Israeli captives as possible without offering anything in return or fulfilling the military and humanitarian obligations of the agreement.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian resistance group Hamas has refused to proceed under these conditions, insisting that Israel abide by the terms of the ceasefire and start negotiations on the second phase, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a complete halt to the war.
