President Prabowo Subianto announced Wednesday that Indonesia is prepared to temporarily receive Palestinians wounded and displaced by the war in Gaza, marking a significant humanitarian gesture as he begins a diplomatic mission to the Middle East and Turkey.

Speaking ahead of visits to Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar, Prabowo said the first group could include up to 1,000 individuals. “We are ready to evacuate the wounded, the traumatised, the orphans,” he said, noting that evacuees would remain in Indonesia until they recover or until conditions in Gaza allow their safe return.

Prabowo also directed Indonesia’s foreign minister to coordinate swiftly with Palestinian authorities and relevant regional partners to organize the evacuation. “Indonesia’s strong commitment to Palestinian safety and independence is driving our proactive response,” he added.

As the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia has consistently supported a two-state solution and provided humanitarian aid to Gaza. This latest initiative underscores Jakarta’s increasing diplomatic and humanitarian involvement in the region’s most urgent conflict.

The war in Gaza erupted in October 2023 after Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages, according to Israeli officials. Israel responded with a sustained military campaign, which Palestinian authorities report has killed more than 50,000 people.

Prabowo’s announcement comes two months after Indonesia firmly rejected suggestions of forced Palestinian relocation—following comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump advocating for Gaza residents to be permanently resettled elsewhere.

Before assuming office, Prabowo had already expressed Indonesia’s willingness to send peacekeepers to Gaza if needed. His new proposal signals a deepening of Indonesia’s engagement in both humanitarian and diplomatic efforts to help resolve the conflict.