JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia is prepared to provide temporary haven for Palestinian medical patients and children orphaned as a result of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, according to President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday.
Subianto stated, “We stand ready to evacuate those wounded, traumatized, or orphaned to Indonesia, and are prepared to dispatch planes for their transport.” He also mentioned he has directed his foreign minister to promptly engage with Palestinian authorities to discuss the evacuation strategies.
He indicated Indonesia’s readiness to evacuate an initial group of roughly 1,000 individuals, who will remain in the country until their injuries have healed and Gaza is deemed safe for their return. Subianto clarified that this initiative does not aim for permanent resettlement.
Subianto made these remarks prior to his departure for Abu Dhabi, the first stop on a week-long tour of the Middle East, which also encompasses visits to Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan. He mentioned he would consult with these nations, some of which have also provided refuge to Palestinians for humanitarian purposes, regarding the planned evacuations.
He further noted that other nations have urged Indonesia to take on a greater role in finding a solution to the Gaza conflict. Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, has historically been a strong advocate for the Palestinian cause.
“This is a complex issue; it’s not simple, but I believe it motivates the Indonesian government to assume a more proactive stance,” Subianto stated.