Indonesia’s military has announced it is preparing to deploy up to 8,000 troops for a potential peacekeeping mission in Gaza. This initiative aligns with a humanitarian effort outlined in U.S. President Donald Trump’s postwar reconstruction plan. The move represents the first formal commitment from Indonesia to participate in the security mission, which aims to stabilize the region following years of conflict.
According to army spokesman Donny Pramono, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, known as TNI, has finalized its troop structure and established a timeline for deployment. While the Indonesian government has yet to confirm the specific timing for sending troops, Pramono stated, “In principle, we are ready to be assigned anywhere.” He emphasized that the troops are fully prepared and can be dispatched at short notice once formal approval is granted.
The proposed deployment is set to unfold in stages. Troops will undergo health checks and complete necessary paperwork throughout February, followed by a readiness review at the end of the month. An advance team of approximately 1,000 personnel is expected to be ready for deployment by April, with the remainder of the force prepared to follow by the end of June.
Despite this readiness, Pramono clarified that the actual deployment hinges on political decisions and international agreements. Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry has consistently stated that any involvement in Gaza will be strictly humanitarian in nature. The Indonesian contribution will focus on civilian protection, medical services, and reconstruction efforts, explicitly excluding participation in combat operations or actions that might provoke confrontations with armed groups.
Indonesia’s commitment marks a significant step as it becomes the first country to commit troops under Trump’s Board of Peace initiative for Gaza. This comes at a time when a fragile ceasefire has been in place between Israel and Hamas since October 11, following a period of intense conflict that lasted two years.
As the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia has a longstanding stance of supporting a two-state solution and does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Israel. Indonesian officials have justified their participation in the Board of Peace by asserting the necessity of defending Palestinian interests, particularly given that Israel is included in the initiative without Palestinian representation.
Indonesia has a track record of contributing to peacekeeping operations, being one of the top ten contributors to United Nations missions, including efforts in Lebanon. This experience positions Indonesia as a capable participant in international peacekeeping efforts, reinforcing its commitment to humanitarian values in the region.
