WEDNESDAY April 9, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng
Indonesia is prepared to temporarily host Palestinians wounded and displaced by the war in Gaza, President Prabowo Subianto announced on Wednesday as he began a diplomatic tour of the Middle East and Turkey, AriseNEWS reports.
Speaking ahead of his visits to Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar, Prabowo said the first wave could include up to 1,000 evacuees. “We are ready to evacuate the wounded, the traumatised, the orphans,” he stated, adding that the individuals would remain in Indonesia only until they recover or until it is safe for them to return to Gaza.
President Prabowo revealed that he has directed Indonesia’s foreign minister to immediately engage with Palestinian authorities and other relevant parties to coordinate the evacuation process. “Indonesia’s commitment to supporting the safety of Palestinians and their independence has pushed our government to act more actively,” he said.
Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, has consistently advocated for a two-state solution and has delivered humanitarian aid to Gaza. The initiative marks a further step in Jakarta’s efforts to play a more prominent role in resolving the long-running conflict.
The war in Gaza began in October 2023 after Hamas fighters killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and took around 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources. In response, Israel launched a military campaign that, according to Palestinian authorities, has resulted in the deaths of over 50,000 Palestinians.
Prabowo’s announcement comes two months after Indonesia’s foreign ministry reiterated its rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians, following a suggestion by former US President Donald Trump to permanently relocate Gaza’s residents.
Before taking office, Prabowo had also expressed Indonesia’s readiness to send peacekeeping forces to Gaza if required. Now in office, his latest move signals an intention to increase Indonesia’s diplomatic and humanitarian footprint in the region.
