Ichsan Ali, Associated Press, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto flew to Doha, Qatar, on Friday to meet Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, in a visit to show Jakarta's support for the Gulf state after Israel carried out a rare strike on Qatari soil earlier this week.
Prabowo departed from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta at around 9 a.m. local time, according to Presidential Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. He is expected to hold talks with Sheikh Tamim later in the day.
"This is a form of Indonesia's direct solidarity and support for the government and people of Qatar," Teddy said in a written statement.
The trip comes after Israeli forces on Tuesday struck what they described as a Hamas political leadership hub in Doha, where senior figures of the militant group had gathered to discuss a US-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza. The attack killed five Hamas members, including the son of Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas's Gaza leader and chief negotiator, along with several aides and guards. Hamas's top leaders were unharmed.
The unprecedented strike in a key US ally's territory stunned the region and threatened to derail delicate negotiations aimed at ending the 23-month war in Gaza and freeing hostages. Thick plumes of smoke were seen over Doha after the blast.
Qatar, which hosts thousands of U. troops and has been a central mediator between Israel and Hamas, condemned the assault as a "flagrant violation of all international laws and norms." Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates quickly pledged support for Doha.
On Friday, the UAE summoned Israel's deputy envoy in Abu Dhabi to denounce what it called a "blatant and cowardly attack" on Qatar. Emirati Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem bint Ebrahim al-Hashimy warned the assault was "an irresponsible escalation that threatens regional and international peace and security."
The diplomatic fallout comes ahead of an emergency meeting of Arab and Islamic nations in Qatar next week. Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who also serves as foreign minister, is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington following an appeal at the United Nations Security Council.
"Israel is trying to rearrange the region by force," Sheikh Mohammed told the council.