Indonesia's president says ready to temporarily shelter war-affected Gazans

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia announced that the Indonesian government is prepared to accept injured and orphaned Palestinian children affected by the ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza.

Speaking at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in East Jakarta on April 9, 2025, before embarking on a state tour to Türkiye and several Middle Eastern countries, Prabowo affirmed Indonesia’s readiness to assist in evacuating victims of the conflict, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media sources.

“We are ready to evacuate those who are wounded, those who are traumatized, and orphaned children,” Prabowo stated. “They want to be evacuated to Indonesia, and we are ready to send planes to transport them.”

The initial phase of the evacuation is expected to involve around a thousand individuals, including injured Palestinians and children who have lost their families. However, Prabowo emphasized that the evacuation will only proceed after receiving approval from all relevant parties, with the understanding that the victims will be temporarily housed in Indonesia until they recover.

“If the situation in Gaza allows, they must return to their original areas,” Prabowo added, underscoring Indonesia's support for the eventual return of the evacuees to their homeland.

In addition to coordinating the evacuation efforts, Prabowo revealed that Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, has been tasked with liaising with the Palestinian government to establish an effective evacuation mechanism.

The President also stressed the importance of regional consultations with Middle Eastern leaders, particularly concerning Indonesia’s potential role in facilitating a peaceful resolution to the Gaza conflict.

"This is something complex, not easy, but Indonesia's commitment to supporting the safety of the Palestinian people and their independence urges the Indonesian government to play a more active role," Prabowo said.

Indonesia has long maintained a policy of non-alignment, offering humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including sending medical teams to work in dangerous conditions. Prabowo reiterated that Indonesia has received multiple calls to deepen its involvement in resolving the conflict in Gaza and broader Middle Eastern geopolitics.

“Although Indonesia is geographically distant from the heart of the conflict, we are the country with the largest Muslim population and a non-aligned stance,” he explained. “This political position is respected by all parties involved in the conflict.”

Prabowo’s diplomatic mission, which runs from April 9 to 15, 2025, will include visits to five countries in the Middle East—United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan. During these discussions, the ongoing Gaza conflict and broader geopolitical developments in the region will be key topics.

By Khagan Isayev