President Prabowo Subianto has announced plans to evacuate up to 1.000 civilians from Gaza to Indonesia, as part of what he described as a growing international expectation for Jakarta to play a more active role in resolving the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn territory.
Speaking in the early hours of Wednesday at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta, Prabowo confirmed that Indonesia is prepared to send aircraft to carry out the evacuations.
“We are ready to evacuate the wounded, the traumatized, orphaned children—anyone the Palestinian authorities and relevant parties deem suitable for evacuation,” Prabowo said. “We estimate around 1.000 people for the first wave.”
Middle East Diplomatic Push
The announcement came amid Prabowo’s multi-country diplomatic mission to the Middle East. Over the course of a week, the president is scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan—countries seen as pivotal in shaping the region’s response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The purpose of the trip, Prabowo said, is twofold: to seek support for the planned evacuation, and to consult with regional leaders on how Indonesia might further contribute to peace efforts.
“There have been many calls for Indonesia to take a more active role in supporting efforts to resolve the conflict in Gaza and, more broadly, the Middle East,” he said. “This is something complex, not light. But Indonesia’s commitment to the safety and independence of the Palestinian people is pushing us to take a more active role.”
Evacuation to Be Temporary
Prabowo emphasized that any evacuation to Indonesia would be temporary. Those brought to Indonesia for treatment or refuge would be expected to return to Gaza once conditions allow.
“This must be approved by all relevant parties,” he said. “They will be here only temporarily—until they are healed and the situation in Gaza permits their return home.”
Foreign Minister Dispatched for Further Talks
To lay the groundwork for the evacuation process, Prabowo has dispatched Foreign Minister Sugiono to engage in direct talks with the Palestinian authorities and other regional actors. Discussions will focus on the logistics, legal mechanisms, and conditions necessary for the transfer of civilians from Gaza to Indonesia.
“We are prepared to receive them, but we must first coordinate with the local authorities and determine the best way to implement this,” Prabowo said.
A Shift in Indonesia’s Role
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, has long voiced support for Palestinian statehood, but Prabowo’s remarks suggest a shift toward more hands-on engagement. His initiative follows increasing diplomatic pressure on Jakarta to move beyond rhetoric and offer tangible assistance as the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to climb.
“This is the Indonesian government’s stance,” Prabowo said. “We are continuously receiving envoys and phone calls asking how prepared Indonesia is to help resolve—or at least help move toward resolving—the crisis in Gaza.”
Whether Indonesia’s offer of refuge will materialize hinges not only on diplomatic clearances but also on the volatile security situation on the ground in Gaza.
