"Recently, the president issued a directive for Indonesia to provide medical treatment to around 2,000 Gaza residents injured by bombings or collapsed buildings amid the ongoing war," PCO Head Hasan Nasbi stated in Jakarta on Thursday.
He explained that Galang Island was chosen due to its adequate facilities and infrastructure for the humanitarian mission. The island was previously designated as one of the key sites for managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Nasbi, Galang Island—part of Batam in Riau Islands Province—has the necessary resources to support the recovery of war-affected Palestinians and accommodate their families.
The official also assured the public that the medical activities for evacuees on the island would not adversely impact Indonesian residents on other islands in the province.
"After all, the location is separate from our citizens living on other islands," Nasbi said.
He emphasized that the plan is not intended to permanently relocate Gaza residents to Indonesia.
The Indonesian government intends to use the island solely as a temporary shelter during their recovery.
"The war victims will, of course, return to Gaza once they have recovered from their injuries. In other words, this is not a relocation plan—this is a humanitarian operation aimed at helping as many victims as we can," he stressed.
He also shared that President Prabowo has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense to handle all technical aspects of the plan’s implementation.
President Prabowo first announced Indonesia’s readiness to host Palestinians for medical treatment in April.
"We are ready to send airplanes to transport around one thousand war victims in the first batch," he told the media before departing for the United Arab Emirates on April 9.
Related news: Indonesia seeks land access to deliver aid to Palestinians
Related news: Indonesia Red Crescent to send fourth medical team to Gaza
Related news: Indonesia pushes decisive, irreversible two-state solution in Gaza
Translator: Fathur R, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: M Razi Rahman
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
