PBNU Chairman Condemns Restriction of Access to Indonesia Hospital in Gaza
JAKARTA – The Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama’s Central Board (PBNU), KH Ahmad Fahrur Rozi, commonly known as Gus Fahrur, has strongly condemned the restriction of Palestinian civilians’ access to the Indonesia Hospital in the Gaza Strip, which is now reportedly under Israeli military control.
According to him, the situation is not merely an ordinary conflict but a humanitarian crisis that continues to wound the world’s conscience, especially since the hospital was built with donations from the Indonesian people.
“What is happening in the Gaza Strip today is not just a conflict, but a humanitarian crisis that continues to tear at the world’s conscience. Information regarding the restriction of Palestinian civilians’ access to the Indonesia Hospital—built through the collective efforts of the Indonesian people—adds another wound that we cannot ignore,” said Gus Fahrur when contacted by Republika.co.id on Thursday (23/4/2026).
With the Indonesia Hospital in Gaza now under control, he emphasised five main stances of PBNU. First, strongly condemning all forms of humanitarian violations, including actions that obstruct access to healthcare services for civilians.
“Hospitals are symbols of humanity, not tools of conflict,” said Gus Fahrur.
Second, Gus Fahrur urged Israel to comply with international humanitarian law, particularly the principle of protecting medical facilities as stipulated in the Geneva Conventions.
Third, PBNU affirmed that the Indonesia Hospital is a humanitarian trust from the Indonesian people for the Palestinian people, which must not be seized or diverted from its original purpose.
“Affirming that the Indonesia Hospital is a humanitarian trust from the Indonesian people for the Palestinian people, which must not be seized, restricted, or diverted from its noble purpose,” said Gus Fahrur.
Fourth, he continued, PBNU encourages the Indonesian Government to strengthen measured diplomatic steps to pressure for full humanitarian access.
Fifth, Indonesians are invited to maintain solidarity, strengthen prayers, and channel organised and sustainable humanitarian aid.
“Inviting all elements of the nation to continue maintaining solidarity, strengthening prayers, and channelling humanitarian aid in an organised and sustainable manner,” explained Gus Fahrur.
As is known, since 20 April 2026, photos have circulated on various media platforms showing banners in Hebrew posted by the Israeli occupying military on the northeastern side of the Indonesia Hospital building in Gaza. The banner reads, “Behold, a people who rise like a lioness, who roar like a lion,” installed for Jewish Passover.
Based on information from the MER-C Indonesia team, the incident occurred around early April 2026. Israeli soldiers entered and held celebrations and dances on the roof of the Indonesia Hospital. Currently, according to local MER-C sources in Gaza, the Indonesia Hospital building is empty and has no activity.
In response to the incident, MER-C Indonesia emphasised that the occupation of northern Gaza by the Israeli occupiers constitutes a humanitarian crime. The misuse of the Indonesia Hospital building’s function is also a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law, particularly the 1949 Geneva Conventions, as well as an action that provokes the morale of Palestinian and Indonesian society.
“MER-C Indonesia urges the Indonesian government to issue a strong protest note against the provocative actions of the Israeli soldiers and to demand that Israel withdraw from the illegally occupied Gaza territory,” said MER-C, quoted from its official statement on Instagram on Thursday (23/4/2026).
The Indonesia Hospital is proof of Indonesian society’s solidarity with Palestinian society. The construction of the Indonesia Hospital, initiated by MER-C from donations by the Indonesian people, began on 14 May 2011.
The Indonesia Hospital began operating on 27 December 2015 after the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza officially opened it, and it was symbolically inaugurated by Vice President Jusuf Kalla on 9 January 2016 in Jakarta.
During the genocide, this hospital has been evidence of Gaza residents’ efforts to maintain sovereignty and uphold humanitarian values.
From October 2023 to October 2025, the Israeli military has carried out more than 300 attacks on the Indonesia Hospital and its surrounding areas.