Indonesia to Send Thousands of Peacekeepers to Gaza as Part of Trump’s Plan

Indonesia is preparing to deploy up to 8,000 troops to Gaza as part of an international peacekeeping force, marking the first concrete commitment to a key component of U.S. President Donald Trump’s postwar reconstruction plan for the region. The move comes as Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to meet with President Trump in Washington this week to discuss the Board of Peace initiative, intended to oversee a cease-fire in Gaza .

Indonesia’s Role and Experience

Indonesia has a strong track record in peacekeeping operations, consistently ranking among the top 10 contributors to United Nations missions, including a notable presence in Lebanon. The nation has also been actively involved in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, including funding for a hospital .

Concerns and Skepticism

Despite Indonesia’s experience, the deployment is not without its critics. Some Indonesians express skepticism about Prabowo’s decision to join Washington’s proposed Board of Peace and participate in the International Security Force (ISF), citing a lack of clarity regarding its operations and concerns it may align with Trump’s agenda as the two countries negotiate a trade deal .

Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, a Middle East expert with Jakarta’s Center of Economic and Law Studies, cautioned, “We need to be careful to ensure that our military personnel are not supporting the Israeli military forces. We need to be careful that our military forces are not fighting against wrong actors.”

Unclear Mandate and Funding

The mandate of the ISF remains undefined. Unlike U.N. Peacekeeping forces, which operate under clear and strict mandates, the Board of Peace and ISF will function outside the U.N. Framework, raising questions about how the troops will be utilized and who will bear the financial responsibility . Currently, Indonesia receives funding from the U.N. For its peacekeeping contributions, but there are fears it may have to cover the costs of deploying troops to Gaza, potentially including a $1 billion payment for a permanent seat on the Board of Peace .

Prabowo’s Justification

President Prabowo Subianto has emphasized the historic opportunity presented by joining Trump’s Board of Peace, viewing it as a strategic effort to secure peace in Gaza and Palestine. He believes the situation in Gaza has improved since the start of Israeli aggression in 2023, with increased humanitarian aid reaching the Palestinian people . Prabowo stated, “I believe this is a historic opportunity. This is a real chance to achieve peace in Gaza” .

Previous Discussions with Trump

Recordings surfaced in October 2025 revealing a conversation between Prabowo and Trump during the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt. In the recording, Prabowo requested Trump’s assistance in arranging a meeting with his son, Eric Trump, the head of the Trump Organization, which has business interests in Indonesia . Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono downplayed the conversation, stating that such discussions between heads of state are common and reflect the close relationship between Prabowo and Trump .