TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Hospital in north of Gaza, Palestine, has gained attention after an Israeli strike killed its director, Dr. Marwan Al-Sultan, in his apartment building in West Gaza on Wednesday, July 5, 2025.
The Indonesian Hospital has been a symbol of love and solidarity from the Indonesian people to the people of Palestine.
Since its opening in 2016, the hospital, built with assistance from Indonesia, has served countless people in Gaza, in line with the estimate that it was prepared to serve 300,000 local residents.
Amid the Israeli onslaught, the Indonesian Hospital has not only provided healthcare services with advanced technical equipment but also served as a shelter for the besieged Gaza population.
Here are some facts about the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, gathered from various sources:
Construction History
The idea of establishing the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza was conceived in 2009 and received widespread support from the Indonesian people. The construction process began in May 2011.
The Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, with a total building area of 10,000 square meters, stands on a 1.6-hectare land donated by the Palestinian government.
Despite major battles in Gaza in 2013 and 2014, the construction of the Indonesian Hospital continued until completion in mid-2014 and began admitting patients in 2015.
The hospital's construction continued despite the significant challenge posed by the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, as stated by the Operational Manager of MER-C, Rima Manzanaris, in 2016.
The hospital was inaugurated by the then-Vice President Jusuf Kalla on January 9, 2016. The inauguration was symbolically conducted through a handover ceremony to the Palestinian authorities, represented by Health Minister Jawwad Awad, at Ismail Marzuki Park, Jakarta.
Indonesian Volunteers
The Indonesian Hospital construction involved Indonesian volunteers throughout nearly all of the process.
The construction process involved the participation of 43 MER-C volunteers who dedicated their efforts from the architectural design process to the construction phase.
According to MER-C, the construction of the Indonesian Hospital cost Rp126 billion, which came from donations from various societal groups and national organizations.
"All of it came from the Indonesian people, and there was no foreign funding," said the Chair of the Presidium of MER-C, Dr. Henry Hidayatullah, during the inauguration of the Indonesian Hospital in 2016.
Continued Attacks by Israel
The Indonesian Hospital has not been spared from the ruthless attacks by the Zionist forces of Israel, despite the clear prohibition of targeting healthcare facilities and personnel during warfare under international humanitarian law.
In November 2023, the operating ward of the Indonesian Hospital was attacked by the Israeli military, resulting in damage to medical equipment.
The Indonesian Hospital was again targeted by Zionist forces, who fired at the upper floors of the hospital in October 2024. At the same time, they also fired at the displaced Gaza residents taking shelter around the hospital gate.
The Israeli Zionist forces once more besieged the Indonesian Hospital in May 2025, leading to the paralysis of all health services. Patients and healthcare workers who were still there were forcibly evicted by Israel as the hospital was emptied in early June 2025.
Persevering Against All Odds
Despite facing significant challenges over the years due to the blockade, airstrikes, and escalating intimidation by Israel since October 7, 2023, the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza continued to serve the community.
Since the official operation of the Indonesian Hospital in 2016, there has been a continued presence of Indonesian healthcare personnel, specialists and rotationally assigned skilled volunteers.
Until the Indonesian Hospital was forcibly emptied and all its occupants were evicted by the Zionist entity of Israel in June 2025, healthcare workers and volunteers from Indonesia and Palestine persevered to exercise their duty to provide treatment for the people of Gaza.
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