Indonesia condemns violence against Palestinians in Al Aqsa

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government strongly condemns the armed violence by Israeli security forces against Palestinians at the Al Aqsa Mosque complex on Friday (15/4) which resulted in fatalities and injuries.

The statement was conveyed through a tweet from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' official Twitter account, which was monitored by ANTARA on Saturday.

"This act of violence against civilians cannot be justified and must be stopped immediately, especially at the Al Aqsa Mosque place of worship during the holy month of Ramadan," the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Twitter.

Earlier, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday (14/4) asked the world to protect the Palestinian people amid increasing tensions in the West Bank, as quoted by Xinhua.

The official Palestinian news agency (WAFA) reported that Abbas made the call during a meeting with the EU's special representative for the Middle East peace process Sven Koopmans.

According to reports, Abbas has reviewed Israel's ongoing attacks against the Palestinian people. He called the ongoing escalation of tensions "unstoppable".

Tensions between Israel and the Palestinians have flared in the West Bank and East Jerusalem over the past three weeks, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

On Monday (11/4), the spokesman for the Palestinian president Nabil Abu Rudeineh warned that Israeli movements in the Palestinian territories would push the issue into an "uncontrollable situation"

Refugees in Maukme Township need help

Linkhae District, Southern Shan State; Residents of some refugee camps in Kadugyi village in Maukme Township were damaged by heavy rains and strong winds on April 14 and need urgent assistance to rebuild, according to residents.

Bamboo One of the refugees, Mary, told RFA that the roofs and shelters were damaged during the storm because of the tarpaulins.

"We are now living in a monastery in Kadugyi village. We have to move urgently. The wind and the rain are all wet. The donated blankets and mosquito nets are all wet. The blankets and the roof are covered with wind. We have to find a donor to rebuild."

There are currently more than 40 households in the Kadugyi refugee camp. Nearly 120 people live there and the weather is still bad.

The refugee camp is located in the area controlled by the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) and is home to the largest number of refugees from Loikaw, Kayah State.

More than two-thirds of locals in Loikaw have been displaced by clashes between the military council and local defense forces in Loikaw. They are fleeing to cities such as Hsi Hseng and Mauk Mae.