TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - All representatives of the Indonesian government in the Middle East have prepared contingency plans for the safety of Indonesian citizens amidst the potential Gaza conflict expansion, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Israeli offensive against the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza has prompted resistance groups from other Middle Eastern countries to join the fight as a form of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Countries bordering Israel and Palestine have also been drawn into the conflict.

"This plan has been developed by each representative in the Middle East to anticipate any further escalation that endangers Indonesian citizens," said Director of Citizen Protection Judha Nugraha during a press conference in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

Recently, an Egyptian military personnel was killed in a firefight with Israeli personnel near the crossing between Egypt and Gaza. Both sides are investigating the incident, further raising the tensions between Cairo and Tel Aviv.

In Lebanon, the Iran-backed Hezbollah has exchanged fire with the Israeli military since the start of Israel's offensive on Gaza. Israeli shelling has killed around 80 civilians in Lebanon, including children, medics, and journalists.

Meanwhile, at sea, the Houthi group from Yemen has repeatedly launched drone and missile attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea as a form of solidarity with Palestinians.

Iran, which leads the Axis of Resistance opposing Israel and the United States, exchanged fires with Israel last April after Israel allegedly bombed its embassy compound in Syria and killed seven military officers.

In accordance with the government's contingency plan, the Indonesian Embassy in Amman, Jordan has set the Israeli and Palestinian areas on alert level 1. Additionally, the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran has put Iran on alert level 2, while the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut has set alert level 1 for southern Lebanon and alert level 2 for the Lebanese region including Beirut.

Judha said, "We do not expect the contingency plan to be used, but we are preparing them as per the standards operating procedures. The Minister (Retno Marsudi) even held a meeting with the heads of representatives to anticipate further escalation that threatens Indonesian citizens."

Currently, there are 130 Indonesian citizens living in Israel, eight people in Gaza, 2,361 people in Syria, 217 people in Lebanon, 387 people in Iran, and 553 people in Iraq. This number is recorded based on those who are actively self-reporting to the embassies.

"There is a possibility of Indonesian citizens who are not actively self-reporting and thereby not registered,” Judha concluded.

NABIILA AZZAHRA

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