Indonesia Commits 8,000 Troops to Gaza Peacekeeping Effort

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has pledged to contribute 8,000 troops to the International Stabilization Force in Gaza, as announced during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington. This commitment is part of a broader international effort to support peace and reconstruction in the region.

President Subianto expressed optimism about achieving lasting peace in Palestine and Gaza, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration. He highlighted the significance of the ceasefire achievements and reaffirmed Indonesia's dedication to contributing a substantial number of troops to the peacekeeping mission.

The Board of Peace meeting also saw pledges totaling $7 billion from nine countries for Gaza's reconstruction and stabilization, alongside troop commitments from five nations, including Indonesia. The reconstruction effort aims to deploy 20,000 soldiers and 12,000 police to the region, with the United States pledging an additional $10 billion, though specific allocations remain unspecified.

Indonesia's role in the peacekeeping mission is strictly humanitarian, focusing on civilian protection, medical services, and reconstruction, with no combat involvement. As the world's most populous Muslim-majority country and a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, Indonesia aims to protect Palestinian interests through its participation.

The deployment plan includes preparing 1,000 personnel for departure readiness by early April 2026, with the full contingent of 8,000 personnel targeted for readiness no later than the end of June 2026. The final decision on deployment awaits approval from the Indonesian government and international bodies.