JAKARTA, Indonesia — The President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, has announced that the country is willing to provide temporary refuge for Palestinian medical evacuees and children orphaned due to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
During his address on Wednesday, Subianto stated, “We are prepared to evacuate those who have been injured or traumatized, as well as orphans, who wish to be moved to Indonesia. We are ready to dispatch aircraft to facilitate their transport.” He also informed that he has directed the foreign affairs minister to initiate discussions with Palestinian authorities to arrange the evacuation plans promptly.
Indonesia is set to accommodate an initial group of approximately 1,000 individuals who will remain in the country until they are fully recovered from their injuries and Gaza becomes secure for their return. Subianto made it clear that this initiative is not meant for permanent resettlement.
Before embarking on a flight to Abu Dhabi, Subianto mentioned that this was the first stop on his weeklong diplomatic tour of the Middle East, which will include visits to Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan. He mentioned that discussions regarding the evacuees are part of his agenda with these nations, some of which have also accepted Palestinians for humanitarian considerations.
Furthermore, Subianto noted that several countries have urged Indonesia to take on a more significant role in seeking a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. As the most populous Muslim-majority country globally, Indonesia has historically been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause.
“This situation is complex and challenging, but I believe it motivates the Indonesian government to engage more actively,” Subianto expressed.