Indonesia is preparing to send up to 8,000 troops to the Gaza Strip as part of an international force to restore and stabilize the region.
Foreign news agencies reported on 10 Feb 2026 that the Indonesian military announced plans to deploy as many as 8,000 soldiers to the Gaza Strip, making it the first country to do so. This is part of the second phase of a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States late last year.
Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak said training for the troops to be deployed has already begun. They will focus on medical and engineering roles in the Gaza Strip.
Indonesia is among several dozen countries participating in the “Peace Committee” initiated and announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in January.
The committee has been mandated by the United Nations Security Council to establish an International Stabilization Force (ISF) that will secure the Gaza border area, ensure it becomes a demilitarized zone, and oversee the disarmament of Hamas.
Additionally, the Peace Committee will oversee the new Palestinian government in Gaza, which will be managed by a group of experts, and will supervise post-war reconstruction and repair efforts.
Although no final decision has been made regarding Indonesia’s deployment schedule and specific role, it appears President Prabowo Subianto has decided to send troops.
The government’s decision to join the Peace Committee has prompted some Muslim groups in Indonesia to protest, expressing dissatisfaction with U.S. support for Israel’s attacks on Gaza, whose population is predominantly Muslim.
However, Prabowo argued that as the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, Indonesia should help stabilize Gaza. He stated Indonesia’s involvement aims toward a two-state solution to ultimately end the Israel-Palestine conflict.
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Source:bbc