Indonesia prepares up to 8,000 troops for potential Gaza deployment

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - JAKARTA — Indonesia’s military announced Sunday that up to 8,000 troops could be ready by the end of June for a possible deployment to Gaza as part of a humanitarian and peace mission linked to U.S. President Donald Trump’s postwar reconstruction framework.

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has finalized its proposed force structure and deployment timeline, although the government has not yet made a political decision on when — or whether — the troops will be sent.

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“In principle, we are ready to be assigned anywhere,” Army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Donny Pramono told The Associated Press.

“Our troops are fully prepared and can be dispatched at short notice once the government gives formal approval.”

According to Pramono, the military has prepared a composite brigade of 8,000 personnel following a Feb. 12 planning meeting for the mission.

Troops are undergoing health checks and administrative preparations throughout February, followed by a readiness review at the end of the month.

Around 1,000 personnel are expected to be ready as an advance team by April, with the remaining forces prepared by June.

However, Pramono stressed that operational readiness does not automatically mean deployment will occur. The mission still requires a political decision and depends on international mechanisms.

Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry has repeatedly emphasized that any involvement in Gaza would be strictly humanitarian. Officials said Indonesia’s role would focus on civilian protection, medical services, and reconstruction efforts, and that its forces would not engage in combat or direct confrontation with armed groups.

If approved, Indonesia would become the first country to formally commit troops to the security mission established under Trump’s Board of Peace initiative for Gaza. The mission comes as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has held since Oct. 11, following two years of conflict.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel and has long supported a two-state solution. The country has been active in humanitarian efforts for Gaza, including funding a hospital.

Indonesian officials have said joining the Board of Peace is aimed at defending Palestinian interests from within the initiative, noting that Israel is represented on the board while Palestinians are not.

Indonesia is among the top 10 contributors to United Nations peacekeeping missions and has previous operational experience, including deployments in Lebanon.