Indonesia pledges 8,000 troops to Gaza peacekeeping mission

Thursday 19 February 2026 - 21:30

By: Sahili Aya

Indonesia pledges 8,000 troops to Gaza peacekeeping mission

Indonesia has announced its readiness to contribute at least 8,000 troops to a proposed international peacekeeping force in Gaza, signaling one of the most significant military commitments by a Southeast Asian nation to Middle East stabilization efforts in recent years.

Speaking at a meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated that his country is prepared to deploy “8,000 or more” personnel to support an International Stabilization Force aimed at securing and maintaining peace in Gaza.

The announcement came during discussions attended by U.S. President Donald Trump, whose leadership Subianto credited as instrumental in advancing diplomatic momentum. The Indonesian leader expressed optimism about achieving a durable peace, despite acknowledging the complexity of the situation on the ground.

“We are very optimistic that with strong leadership, this vision of real peace can be realized,” Subianto said, emphasizing that challenges remain but that sustained international cooperation could deliver meaningful progress.

Indonesia’s pledge follows renewed international focus on consolidating a ceasefire in Gaza and advancing broader negotiations surrounding the Palestinian issue. Subianto described recent ceasefire developments as “real achievements” and reaffirmed Jakarta’s commitment to supporting long-term stability.

Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, has historically supported Palestinian statehood and humanitarian initiatives in the region. By offering a substantial troop contribution, Jakarta positions itself as a proactive diplomatic and security actor beyond Southeast Asia.

The proposed International Stabilization Force would aim to maintain order, oversee ceasefire arrangements, and facilitate reconstruction efforts, though details regarding its mandate, composition, and timeline have yet to be fully clarified.

As diplomatic efforts continue, Indonesia’s commitment underscores the growing involvement of non-Western nations in global peacekeeping initiatives and highlights the evolving international approach to conflict resolution in Gaza.