Indonesia will send between 5,000 and 8,000 soldiers to Gaza as part of an international stabilization force, the first since 1967.

The authorities in Jakarta have announced that they are preparing to send between 5,000 and 8,000 soldiers to Gaza, thus becoming the first country to concretely commit to the proposed international stabilization force (ISF) in Donald Trump's plan. This mission would mark the first external intervention in Gaza since 1967, placing Indonesia, the most populous Islamic country, at the center of a complex conflict in the Middle East. General Maruli Simanjuntak stated that the details of the mission are still under negotiation, and the role of Indonesian troops could be supportive, including in the fields of engineering and health. Although violence has decreased under an October ceasefire, Israeli bombings continue, and more than 500 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire was declared. Trump's plan envisions a temporary administration led by Palestinian technocrats, which would manage Gaza and assist in disarming Hamas, with the support of a Palestinian police force trained in Jordan and Egypt. However, the deployment of foreign soldiers, especially from an Islamic country, could face opposition from extremists in Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, who see this as a step towards the establishment of a Palestinian state. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has agreed to participate in the "peace council" led by Trump, which will oversee the peace process in Gaza and other conflict areas. However, there are concerns that Indonesia could become involved in a situation it cannot control, and the decision to join this council could be a risky diplomatic gamble.