Indonesia Readies Up to 20,000 Troops for Proposed US-Backed Gaza Stabilisation Force

Indonesia prepares contingent for proposed Gaza stabilisation mission

Indonesia says it is preparing as many as 20,000 soldiers as a potential contribution to an international stabilisation force (ISF) for Gaza, Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin told reporters. He said the personnel, if deployed, would likely focus on medical support and construction-related tasks rather than frontline combat roles.

"We are waiting for further decisions on Gaza peace action," Sjamsoeddin said, stressing that any final decision on deployment would rest with President Prabowo Subianto.

The possible deployment is linked to a 20-point plan for Gaza advanced by United States President Donald Trump, under which a transitional governance body and a temporary ISF would help secure a longer-term truce and stabilise conditions in the enclave. President Prabowo is expected to discuss the proposal with Jordan’s King Abdullah during the monarch’s state visit to Indonesia.

Major questions remain about the ISF’s composition, legal mandate and rules of engagement. Washington has said it has spoken with Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar about contributing personnel. Israel has already indicated it would not accept Türkiye having an on-the-ground role.

Ankara has been a prominent critic of Israeli operations in Gaza and has recently issued arrest warrants alleging genocide against senior Israeli officials, a matter that has heightened tensions around which countries would be acceptable contributors to any force.

Last week the US mission to the United Nations formally circulated a draft resolution for negotiation. According to a draft seen by AFP, the resolution would establish a two-year mandate for a transitional governing body in Gaza — the so-called Board of Peace — to be chaired by President Trump. It would also authorise member states to form a temporary ISF to secure humanitarian aid corridors and borders and to assist with the decommissioning of weapons held by non-state armed groups. Hamas has not publicly agreed to demilitarisation, a central element of the 20-point plan.

Planned ISF operations would be coordinated with Israel, Egypt and newly trained Palestinian police forces, according to the draft. The US proposal faced a setback when Russia presented a counter-proposal to the UN Security Council, and a US mission spokesperson warned that attempts to undermine Washington’s resolution could have serious repercussions.

The US mission also cautioned that if the October 10 ceasefire were to collapse, the consequences for civilians in Gaza would be "grave, tangible and entirely avoidable." Speaking last week, President Trump said he hoped a US-coordinated ISF could be deployed in Gaza "very soon."

What to watch next

• Outcomes of President Prabowo's talks with King Abdullah during the state visit.
• Negotiations at the UN over the draft resolution and any revisions following Russia's counter-proposal.
• Decisions by potential contributor states on whether and how many personnel they will commit.