TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi responded to the appointment of Yahya Sinwar as the head of the Hamas Political Bureau. Retno Marsudi reiterated Indonesia’s stance to focus on peace efforts for Palestine.

"We are focused on efforts to resolve peace," said Foreign Minister Retno at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, on Thursday, August 8, 2024.

Retno said Indonesia is pushing for a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza. Additionally, Indonesia continues to support the realization of peace based on a two-state solution.

There was no further information from Retno regarding the new Hamas political chief. Retno Marsudi only said she would meet the Palestinian delegation visiting the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board this afternoon.

Hamas appointed Yahya Sinwar as its new political chief on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, after former chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran on July 31.

Hamas and Iran accused Israel of assassinating Haniyeh, which the Israeli government neither denied nor confirmed. Meanwhile, Yahya Sinwar is Israel's most wanted Hamas leader.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday that Hamas' decision to appoint Sinwar could have severe repercussions for Israel and its allies.

Israel accuses Sinwar of being the mastermind of the October 7 attack, which prompted Israel to intensify its ongoing military offensive in Gaza that killed more than 39,600 people.

Ten months after the escalation, much of Gaza has been devastated amid a shortage of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel has been accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ has ordered Israel to immediately halt its military operations in Rafah -- where more than a million displaced Palestinians sought refuge before the southern Gaza city was also attacked on May 6 this year.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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