Indonesia ready to send first 1,000 troops to Gaza by April, army says

Indonesia is preparing to deploy its first contingent of 1,000 troops to Gaza as part of the UN-mandated International Stabilisation Force, with a potential deployment date as early as April 2026. This information was confirmed by an army spokesperson on February 16, 2026. The spokesperson also indicated that a larger force of up to 8,000 Indonesian soldiers could be ready for deployment by June 2026. However, the final decision regarding the deployment will be made by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. The Indonesian Army Chief of Staff, Maruli Simanjuntak, previously estimated that between 5,000 and 8,000 military personnel could be deployed to Gaza. The spokesperson emphasized that the departure schedule for the troops is contingent upon political decisions made by the state and adherence to applicable international mechanisms. Reports indicate that the proposed multinational peacekeeping force for Gaza could total around 20,000 troops, with Indonesia's contribution being a significant portion. However, as of now, no specific terms of deployment or designated areas of operation have been agreed upon. This potential military engagement marks a notable development in Indonesia's foreign policy, which has historically emphasized independence in international relations. The situation remains fluid as Indonesia navigates the complexities of international military cooperation and its implications for its longstanding foreign policy stance.