Indonesia Pledges Significant Troop Contribution to Gaza Stabilization Force
Washington D.C. – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced Thursday a commitment of 8,000 or more troops to the International Stabilization Force in Gaza, during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington. The pledge marks a substantial contribution to the force envisioned by U.S. President Donald Trump as part of a post-ceasefire plan for the region.
Speaking at the meeting, President Subianto expressed optimism about achieving “real peace” in Gaza under President Trump’s leadership. “Despite the obstacles and difficulties, we are very optimistic that with the leadership of (US) President (Donald) Trump, this vision of real peace will be achieved,” he said, acknowledging potential challenges but asserting, “There will be problems, but we will prevail.”
The Indonesian commitment is intended to support the stabilization of Gaza and facilitate a “lasting and peaceful solution for the Palestinian problem,” according to President Subianto. He reaffirmed Indonesia’s dedication to contributing “a significant number of troops, up to 8000 or more, if necessary” to actively participate in the International Stabilization Force and “make this peace work.”
Indonesia has a history of involvement in international peacekeeping efforts, consistently ranking among the top ten contributors to United Nations missions, including a presence in Lebanon. The nation has also been a significant provider of humanitarian aid to Gaza, notably funding a hospital in the region.
However, the decision to participate in the Board of Peace and deploy troops to Gaza under the auspices of a U.S.-led initiative has sparked some skepticism within Indonesia. Concerns center around the mandate and operational details of the International Security Force (ISF), which will operate outside the framework of the United Nations. Experts have questioned how the troops will be utilized and who will bear the financial responsibility for their deployment.
Currently, Indonesia receives funding from the U.N. For its peacekeeping contributions. There are fears that the Gaza deployment will require Indonesia to cover the costs itself, potentially including a $1 billion payment for a permanent seat on the Board of Peace, as outlined in a draft charter.
Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, a Middle East expert with Jakarta’s Center of Economic and Law Studies, cautioned the need for careful consideration. “We need to be careful to ensure that our military personnel are not supporting the Israeli military forces,” Rakhmat stated. “We need to be careful that our military forces are not fighting against wrong actors.”
The mandate of the ISF remains somewhat unclear. While the ceasefire agreement stipulates that the force will “provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza” and “work with Israel and Egypt to help secure border areas,” the specifics of its operations are still being defined. This lack of clarity has fueled concerns about the potential role of the force and its accountability.
Indonesia’s commitment comes as President Trump’s postwar reconstruction plan for Gaza gains momentum. The Board of Peace initiative, driven by Trump, aims to establish a framework for international cooperation in rebuilding and stabilizing the region. The troop deployment represents the first firm commitment to a critical element of this plan.
The decision by President Subianto’s government signals a significant shift in Indonesia’s longstanding foreign policy posture, potentially aligning the nation more closely with the United States on this critical issue. The move raises questions about Indonesia’s national interests and diplomatic credibility as it navigates a complex geopolitical landscape.
