Written by Wajid | BoloToSai.com
JAKARTA – Indonesia has officially begun preparing a brigade of up to 8,000 troops for deployment to the Gaza Strip, marking the first major commitment to the U.S.-brokered International Stabilization Force (ISF). Following a high-level security meeting at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak confirmed that training is underway for personnel tasked with oversight, engineering, and medical support under President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative.
A Historic Deployment
The mission represents a landmark shift in Middle Eastern security. If deployed, the Indonesian contingent would be the first significant outside military force stationed in the Gaza Strip since 1967. The force is expected to consist of 5,000 to 8,000 soldiers, organized at the brigade level, focused on the “Phase Two” objectives of the Trump Peace Plan: demilitarization, technocratic governance, and infrastructure reconstruction.
The “Board of Peace” Framework
Peacekeepers for Gaza: The deployment is the operational arm of the Board of Peace, a transitional administration established in January 2026 to oversee Gaza’s post-war recovery. Indonesia joined the board as a founding member on January 22, alongside nations like Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan.
Under the current plan, the ISF—which is projected to reach a total of 20,000 multinational troops—will provide security as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) gradually withdraw. Reports from the region indicate that a site in southern Gaza, situated between Rafah and Khan Younis, has already been designated as the primary barracks for the Indonesian units.
Domestic Challenges and Negotiations
Despite the military readiness, the move faces significant hurdles at home. President Prabowo Subianto is navigating intense domestic criticism from Islamic groups wary of Indonesia’s involvement in a U.S.-led initiative. Furthermore, Jakarta is reportedly negotiating a proposed $1 billion “membership fee” requested for permanent status on the Board of Peace.
“We are preparing ourselves in case an agreement is reached,” stated Presidential Spokesman Prasetyo Hadi. “Our priority remains the protection of civilians and the realization of a sovereign Palestinian state.”
Outlook
President Prabowo has been invited to Washington on February 19 for the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace. This summit is expected to finalize the mandate for the Indonesian troops and clarify their rules of engagement. Analysts suggest that Indonesia’s success in this mission could cement its role as a leading diplomatic power in the Muslim world, provided it can balance its humanitarian goals with the complex political realities of the “Phase Two” transition.
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