Indonesia is preparing to take significant steps to help stabilize Gaza and ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance, with plans to deploy at least 8,000 troops as part of a proposed peace initiative linked to U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East plan. The information was reported by Indonesia’s state news agency Antara, following a recent meeting between Armed Forces Commander Gen. Maruli Simanjuntak and President Prabowo Subianto.
President Prabowo told reporters that Indonesia’s preparations are intended to ensure the country is fully ready if an international agreement is finalized and if there is a need to send peacekeeping forces.
The planned Indonesian contingent would form the first component of the proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF), a multinational mission envisioned to include around 20,000 personnel in total.
The Ministry of Defense has emphasized that Indonesia’s objective is to support peace efforts and facilitate humanitarian relief in Gaza. Last November, the defense minister stated that 20,000 soldiers had already been trained to assist with medical services and infrastructure support in the region. Indonesia has also undertaken several humanitarian initiatives, including sending 10,000 tons of rice last year and launching agricultural projects in Sumatra and Kalimantan to help strengthen long-term food security for Palestinians.
However, the proposed peace mission has sparked both international discussion and debate. Some critics argue that the multinational force could inadvertently contribute to prolonging Israeli occupation in Gaza. Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected these claims, stating that the country’s involvement is driven solely by humanitarian considerations and is not intended to impose any political outcomes.
Source: Middle East Monitor.