ISTANBUL — Indonesia's bold commitment to send up to 20,000 troops to the Gaza Strip as part of a United Nations-mandated international stabilization force marks a pivotal moment in the archipelago nation's foreign policy, positioning it as a rising moral and strategic force on the global stage, according to a prominent Indonesian lawmaker.
The pledge, first articulated by President Prabowo Subianto during his address to the 80th United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, has gained renewed urgency following the UN Security Council's adoption of Resolution 2803 on November 17, 2025. This U.S.-drafted measure endorses a comprehensive peace plan for Gaza, authorizing a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) to oversee governance, reconstruction, security, and demilitarization efforts in the war-ravaged enclave after more than two years of devastating conflict. The resolution passed with 13 votes in favor and abstentions from China and Russia, providing the multilateral framework Indonesia has insisted upon for any deployment.
Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry has emphasized that the deployment would “contribute to global peace within the framework of the UN,” underscoring the country's longstanding role as one of the world's top contributors to UN peacekeeping operations. With over 2,700 troops currently serving in 11 UN missions worldwide, Indonesia brings decades of experience in conflict zones, from the Democratic Republic of Congo to South Sudan. Spokesman Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela reiterated this commitment in a recent interview, stating that Jakarta “intends to continue this role” by focusing on humanitarian access and reconstruction in Gaza.
However, Mulachela stressed a critical precondition: a “permanently implemented” ceasefire. “First, we must have a permanently implemented ceasefire in Gaza, which will serve as a first step to enable humanitarian access and recovery, reconstruction, and ultimately the independence of Palestine based on the two-state solution,” he told Anadolu Agency. This stance aligns with Indonesia's consistent advocacy for Palestinian self-determination, rooted in its own history of anti-colonial struggle and its status as the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, home to over 230 million Muslims who have rallied in massive pro-Palestine demonstrations since the conflict escalated in October 2023.
The war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’s attacks on Israel, has claimed over 65,300 Palestinian lives—mostly women and children—according to Gaza’s health ministry, while rendering the strip largely uninhabitable through relentless bombardment, starvation, and disease outbreaks. Israel’s military campaign, which it describes as targeting Hamas militants, has drawn widespread international condemnation for alleged war crimes, including disproportionate force and collective punishment. The UN resolution aims to address this by mandating the ISF to stabilize the security environment, support the demilitarization of Gaza, dismantle terrorist infrastructure, decommission weapons, and maintain the safety of Palestinian civilians.
Enter Indonesian lawmaker Syahrul Aidi Maazat, chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee in Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR). In an exclusive interview with Anadolu, Maazat hailed Prabowo’s pledge as “very significant,” framing it as a “concrete commitment to carrying out its constitutional mandate to participate in maintaining world order based on lasting peace and social justice.” Appointed in November 2025 to lead the DPR’s foreign affairs body, Maazat—a member of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) with a doctorate in international relations—has been a vocal advocate for Palestine.
Maazat argued that the deployment aligns seamlessly with Indonesia’s “independent and active foreign policy,” a doctrine enshrined since the 1945 constitution that emphasizes non-alignment and solidarity with the Global South. As the largest Muslim country, Indonesia has historically boycotted Israel and channeled aid to Palestinians, including offers to treat 1,000 wounded Gazans on Galang Island. Prabowo’s move, Maazat said, “affirms Indonesia’s role as a country that takes action, not just condemns,” elevating it from rhetorical supporter to operational leader.
“There is a need to enhance Indonesia’s position and leadership at the global level,” Maazat continued. “In the Palestinian issue, many countries have failed to stop the violence. Indonesia sees room to emerge as a moral and strategic actor. With its long experience in UN peacekeeping missions and strong domestic public support, Indonesia has the political, moral, and legal legitimacy to take a more proactive role.” This vision taps into Prabowo’s broader ambitions to project Indonesia as a “global middle power,” leveraging its economic heft—the 16th-largest economy worldwide—and demographic weight to bridge divides between the West, Arab states, and the Global South.
Preparation for the mission is underway, with Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin announcing on November 14, 2025, that up to 20,000 troops—primarily medical, engineering, and construction units—have been trained and equipped, including hospital ships and C-130 Hercules aircraft. TNI Commander Agus Subiyanto confirmed personnel selection is in progress, to be led by a three-star general, focusing on non-combat roles to avoid entanglement in hostilities. Analysts note this composition minimizes risks of clashes with groups like Hamas, which has rejected the ISF as biased toward Israel.
Domestically, the pledge enjoys broad support, with polls showing over 90% of Indonesians backing Palestine as a “moral, humanitarian, and constitutional mandate.” Maazat echoed this, noting public insistence on a “clear UN mandate, a purely humanitarian purpose, and full security procedures in accordance with UN peacekeeping standards.” However, some critics fear the mission could inadvertently legitimize a U.S.-Israeli agenda, especially given the ISF’s demilitarization clause targeting non-state actors.
Internationally, Maazat called for Indonesia to spearhead diplomacy across forums like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), ASEAN, the African Union, and the Global South. “Indonesia can lead diplomacy by building momentum for a long-term political settlement,” he said, including pressure via the UN Security Council for accountability under the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute for alleged human rights violations and war crimes.
The U.S. has welcomed Indonesia’s involvement, with Ambassador Michael Waltz noting “very good conversations” alongside Azerbaijan for the ISF. Yet hurdles remain: Israel opposes Turkey’s participation—a key mediator—potentially deterring allies like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, who condition their commitments on broader buy-in. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar affirmed readiness to send troops but explicitly ruled out disarming Hamas, mirroring Indonesia’s humanitarian focus.
As deployment timelines firm up—potentially starting January 2026—Indonesia’s gambit could redefine its global footprint. Maazat envisions it fostering ties with the Trump administration while advancing Palestinian statehood. “This is Indonesia stepping up where others have faltered,” he said.
For now, Prabowo’s pledge hangs in the balance of fragile ceasefires and diplomatic wrangling. If realized, it could sow seeds of stability in Gaza’s barren landscape—or entangle Indonesia in a quagmire that tests its moral compass. With over 2 million Gazans still in tent cities amid famine threats, the world watches whether Indonesia’s “active” diplomacy will deliver.
