Watch: World’s largest Muslim nation drops aid into Gaza
Indonesia has released footage of its military cargo planes dropping aid into Gaza in a bid to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians trapped in Israel’s siege of the enclave.
Newsweek has contacted the Indonesian military and Israeli Foreign Ministry for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Indonesia, which has a population of 284 million, is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country and is among the overwhelming majority of nations that have called for a ceasefire in the 22-month conflict—which sparked after the militant group Hamas mounted deadly attacks on Israeli communities.
Tel Aviv has demanded the release of the 50 remaining hostages taken by Hamas, 20 of whom are believed to still be alive, as a precondition for a ceasefire.
Rights groups and at least 27 governments have condemned Israel over alleged war crimes, including gunning down civilians and causing mass starvation with a blockade. Recently, the World Health Organization and other United Nations agencies formally declared a famine in Gaza.
Tatan Syuflana/Associated Press
What To Know
Indonesia’s armed forces said on Tuesday that its cargo planes continued to airdrop aid over central Gaza as part of a 12-day mission to deliver some 800 tons of ready-made meals, medicine and other supplies to outlying areas and so-called red zones controlled by the Israel Defense Forces.
Footage released by Jakarta showed military personnel loading supplies and dozens of boxes parachuting out of the cargo bay as their plane flew over Gaza.
The operation follows Indonesia’s first humanitarian air mission over the enclave—carried out by a single aircraft in April 2024 under difficult conditions, Lieutenant General Gabriel Lema, the head of Indonesia’s Defense Reserve Component at the Ministry of Defense, said in an April 13 news release.
This latest effort, conducted by two C-130J Super Hercules transport planes, benefits from improved coordination, communication and readiness to adapt to any situation, Lema said, adding, “We hope that this mission will proceed smoothly and without obstacles.”
Israel has denied there is a famine and faulted nongovernmental organizations and Hamas for any food shortages.
Indonesia is one of 28 mostly Muslim countries that do not maintain official diplomatic ties with Israel.
What People Have Said
The World Health Organization wrote in an August 22 report: “Access to food in Gaza remains severely constrained. In July, the number of households reporting very severe hunger doubled across the territory compared to May and more than tripled in Gaza City. More than one in three people (39 percent) indicated they were going days at a time without eating, and adults regularly skip meals to feed their children.”
What Happens Next
The Indonesian mission is scheduled to conclude on Thursday. Israel’s security Cabinet has approved a major ground offensive to take full control of Gaza City, mobilizing 60,000 reservists.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted the offensive, which has drawn widespread international criticism, is necessary to “complete the defeat” of Hamas.
