Indonesia is preparing a contingent of up to 8,000 troops to be ready for deployment to Gaza by June 2026 as part of a proposed multinational peacekeeping and humanitarian force, its army spokesperson said on Monday.
According to the spokesperson, 1,000 soldiers will be ready for potential deployment as early as April, with the larger force prepared by June. The final decision on deployment, including timing and mission scope, rests with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and requires clearance under applicable international mechanisms.
The planned mission is tied to an initiative known as the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution and championed by U.S. President Donald Trump through his “Board of Peace” framework designed to support post-war reconstruction and security in Gaza.
Indonesia’s foreign ministry clarified that participation would not signal normalization of relations with Israel, which Jakarta does not recognize diplomatically, and that Indonesian troops would operate under a non-combatant, humanitarian mandate with the consent of the Palestinian Authority. They would not be authorized to demilitarize any parties or conduct offensive operations.
The deployment came amid broader negotiations among Board of Peace members. Ahead of an inaugural Washington meeting on Feb. 19, leaders from over 20 countries are expected to discuss reconstruction funding, including over US$5 billion in pledged aid, and peaceforce contributions for Gaza.
European partners like Italy and the European Commission have signaled support for the stabilization effort, though the EU has opted to participate only in observer roles, citing concerns over governance and compatibility of the Board of Peace with established United Nations mechanisms.
The Indonesian move marks one of the first formal commitments by a nation to this new multinational force, reflecting Jakarta’s long-standing support for Palestinian rights and a humanitarian role in Gaza’s recovery efforts.