In a powerful gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian people, Indonesia has announced plans to break ground on the Indonesian Women and Children’s Hospital in Gaza next month. The Rp 402 billion (US$24.6 million) project, backed by over 30 civil society organizations, aims to address the dire healthcare needs of a population ravaged by conflict, particularly women and children, who have borne the brunt of the violence in the enclave since October 2023. Yet, with a fragile ceasefire hanging in the balance, the initiative faces significant logistical and political challenges.
The announcement, made during a press conference in Jakarta on 17 May, comes at a critical juncture for Gaza, where a tenuous truce between Israel and Hamas, brokered in January, has already been marred by accusations of violations. The hospital, to be built on a 5,000-square-metre plot of waqf land in the Nasser neighbourhood, is more than just infrastructure; it is, as Onny Firyanti Hamidi of the Maemuna Center Indonesia described, “a manifestation of sincere Indonesian solidarity with Palestine.”
A Humanitarian Imperative Amid Devastation
The need for such a facility is stark. Data from the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) reveal that nearly 70 percent of the over 62,600 Gazans killed since the conflict escalated on 7 October 2023 have been women and children. The violence, triggered by a deadly Hamas raid on Israel that killed over 1,100 Israelis, prompted a massive military response from Tel Aviv, decimating much of Gaza’s infrastructure, including its healthcare system. By early January 2025, only 16 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remained partially operational, according to UN reports. 
Among the casualties of this destruction was the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia, a facility crowdfunded by pro-Palestine groups in Indonesia in 2016. Declared out of service in January after months of bombardment, the hospital was suspected by Israeli forces of concealing a Hamas underground tunnel—a claim that remains unverified. The loss of this facility underscored the urgent need for new healthcare infrastructure, prompting the launch of the Indonesian National Campaign for Palestine by Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta earlier this year.
The new hospital project, spearheaded by the Maemuna Center and the Aqsa Working Group (AWG), emerged from the ashes of last year’s bombardment. It is designed specifically to serve women and children, addressing the disproportionate toll the conflict has taken on these vulnerable groups. The four-storey building will be constructed with the help of Indonesian volunteers, who are expected to comprise 75 percent of the workforce. An advance team is slated to arrive in Gaza through the Rafah crossing, facilitated by an agreement with Egyptian authorities, in late March or early April.
Navigating a Fragile Ceasefire
However, the project’s timeline hinges on the stability of the current ceasefire, which was intended to provide respite after 15 months of violence. The agreement, structured in three six-week phases, has been widely welcomed but remains precarious. Israel has faced accusations of breaching the truce in its first month, while recent statements from US President Donald Trump have fuelled concerns about potential moves to assert control over Gaza. If confirmed, such actions could further destabilise the region and jeopardise humanitarian missions like the hospital construction. “We have been planning the construction for a while now, and the groundbreaking agenda is set,” said M. Anshorullah, an executive from the Aqsa Working Group, during the Jakarta briefing. “We are still in contact with Egyptian authorities, and the plan will proceed if the situation allows.” The uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire remains one of the group’s biggest concerns, highlighting the broader challenges of delivering aid in a conflict zone.
Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry has been actively coordinating with regional neighbours, including Egypt and Jordan, as well as international humanitarian organisations, to ensure the project’s feasibility. “We are in close communication with Palestine’s neighbours and organisations in Gaza that Indonesia has been actively supporting,” said Ahrul Tsani Fathurrahman, the Ministry’s Middle East director. This diplomatic effort underscores Jakarta’s commitment to playing a constructive role in the region, building on its history of support for Palestine.
Indonesia’s Longstanding Commitment to Palestine
The hospital project is the latest chapter in Indonesia’s decades-long advocacy for Palestinian rights. As the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia has consistently positioned itself as a vocal supporter of Palestine on the international stage, often framing its efforts as both a moral and humanitarian duty. The 2016 Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia was a tangible outcome of this commitment, funded through grassroots crowdfunding efforts by civil society groups.
The destruction of that hospital, alongside much of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, has galvanised renewed action. The current initiative, with its focus on women and children, also reflects a growing recognition of the gendered impact of conflict. Beyond the staggering death toll, women and children in Gaza face severe challenges in accessing medical care, particularly for maternal and paediatric needs, amid ongoing shortages of supplies and personnel.
The involvement of over 30 organisations in funding and supporting the Rp 402 billion project speaks to the breadth of public support within Indonesia for the Palestinian cause. These groups, ranging from philanthropic entities like the Maemuna Center to advocacy networks like the Aqsa Working Group, have mobilised resources and volunteers to ensure the hospital becomes a reality. Their efforts are complemented by government backing, with the Foreign Ministry providing diplomatic and logistical support to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape.
Challenges and Conditional Prospects
While the project carries immense symbolic and practical significance, its success is far from guaranteed. Beyond the fragility of the ceasefire, logistical hurdles—such as securing safe passage for workers and materials through the Rafah crossing—pose significant risks. The ongoing political uncertainty, including speculation about US intentions in the region, adds another layer of complexity. If reports of potential US-backed Israeli control over Gaza are confirmed, humanitarian access could be further restricted, potentially delaying or derailing the project. As of now, no definitive evidence supports these claims, and they remain speculative.
Moreover, the broader context of Gaza’s reconstruction raises questions about sustainability. Even if the hospital is built, ensuring its operation amid chronic shortages of electricity, water, and medical supplies will require sustained international cooperation. Indonesia’s role, while commendable, is but a piece of a much larger puzzle. The country’s officials and civil society leaders are acutely aware of these challenges, yet remain steadfast in their resolve to contribute to Gaza’s recovery.
There is also the question of how the hospital will be perceived geopolitically. While framed as a humanitarian effort, such projects can sometimes be interpreted through a political lens, particularly in a region as polarised as the Middle East. Indonesia has sought to mitigate this by emphasising the project’s focus on women and children—groups universally recognised as in need of protection—and by working through established channels with Palestinian and Egyptian authorities.
A Symbol of Hope Amid Uncertainty
As Palestinian children in camps like Nuseirat continue to rely on free food distribution points for their daily iftar meals during Ramadan, the image of resilience amid hardship is a stark reminder of Gaza’s plight. The photograph of children collecting their family’s share of a meal, captured on 14 March 2025, encapsulates the human cost of the conflict—a cost that initiatives like the Indonesian Women and Children’s Hospital seek to address.
For now, the groundbreaking next month remains a tentative milestone, contingent on a ceasefire that holds and a regional environment that permits humanitarian access. If successful, the hospital could serve as a beacon of hope for Gaza’s most vulnerable, offering not just medical care but a tangible expression of global solidarity. Indonesia’s effort, rooted in a deep-seated commitment to Palestine, underscores the power of collective action in the face of adversity.
Yet, as the situation in Gaza remains fluid, the project also stands as a test of international resolve. Will the world rally to support such initiatives, or will political machinations once again overshadow the urgent needs of civilians? For the women and children of Gaza, the answer cannot come soon enough.
