Indonesia to Transform Galang Island into Medical Haven for Gaza’s Wounded
A humanitarian mission—medical care on uninhabited Galang Island for 2,000 injured Palestinians, with assurances they will return home post-recovery
Indonesia, PUREWILAYAH.COM - Indonesia is stepping up its humanitarian support for Palestine by converting Galang Island—a remote, uninhabited territory near Batam—into a fully equipped medical facility capable of treating 2,000 injured Palestinians from Gaza. The island, located off the coast of Sumatra and once used as a quarantine and refugee camp during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now being repurposed into a center of care and recovery for victims of Israel’s war on Gaza.
According to Indonesian presidential adviser Hasan Nasbi, the initiative will not involve permanent resettlement or asylum, but is solely aimed at providing temporary medical assistance.
“This is not an evacuation. This is a humanitarian medical treatment operation. Once they are recovered, they will be sent back to Gaza,” Nasbi emphasised, addressing concerns raised by some religious and civil society leaders.
The facility will also accommodate the families of the injured during their treatment period, ensuring that patients are not isolated in their recovery. Indonesia’s Minister of Defence and President-elect, Prabowo Subianto, had earlier floated the idea of sheltering war-affected Palestinians—particularly orphans and traumatised civilians—as part of the country’s broader commitment to global justice and Islamic solidarity.
However, some critics, including religious scholars and humanitarian organizations, expressed fears that such actions, if mishandled, could indirectly contribute to the permanent displacement of Palestinians from their homeland—aligning, unintentionally, with the Zionist strategy of ethnic cleansing. In response, the Indonesian government has doubled down on its unequivocal support for the Palestinian cause, reiterating its stance for a two-state solution and the right of return for all Palestinians.
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, has long been a vocal supporter of Palestine in international forums. This latest move reflects Jakarta’s attempt to move beyond statements of condemnation and deliver tangible aid—providing a lifeline to thousands wounded by Israeli aggression in Gaza, where the healthcare system has all but collapsed under siege.
As preparations continue, Galang Island is being outfitted with necessary medical infrastructure, personnel, and logistics. The initiative is expected to be carried out in coordination with international aid organizations, ensuring both the safety and dignity of those brought from Gaza, and reinforcing Indonesia’s role as a moral leader in the Muslim world. (PW)
Source: The Cradle