Indonesia preparing to deploy up to 8,000 soldiers to Gaza

Israeli broadcaster Kan reported that land between Rafah and Khan Younis has been set aside for an Indonesian barracks. Indonesia is preparing up to 8,000 troops for phase two of a US‑brokered ceasefire plan, with training already under way and the contingent to focus on medical and engineering roles. Jakarta has joined US President Donald Trump’s newly announced “Board of Peace,” which will meet on 19 February to oversee a UN‑mandated International Stabilization Force (ISF). The ISF’s stated tasks include securing Gaza’s borders, demilitarizing the territory (including disarming Hamas), and supervising a technocratic Palestinian government and reconstruction. Turkey and Pakistan have said they may send troops to Gaza only as neutral peacekeepers and explicitly not to help disarm Hamas. Observers say that stance is problematic because Hamas has refused to disarm and Israel still occupies parts of Gaza, so there is no stable peace for such a force to “maintain.” Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has urged Indonesia — the world’s largest Muslim‑majority country — to join efforts to stabilise Gaza and push for a two‑state solution, but his proposal has drawn criticism from some Islamic groups who oppose involvement alongside the United States.