Indonesia’s military chief says up to 8,000 troops being prepared for possible Gaza deployment

By Nava Freiberg

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10 February 2026, 11:18 am

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Nava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.

Illustrative: Indonesian troops attend a handover ceremony at the Ministry of Defense in Jakarta on October 22, 2024 (JUNI KRISWANTO / AFP)

Indonesia is preparing for the potential deployment of 5,000 to 8,000 troops to Gaza under US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, the country’s army chief of staff, Maruli Simanjuntak, said yesterday following a security meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta.

Maruli stressed that details on the force and deployment location were still being negotiated with relevant parties, but that one brigade, probably between 5,000 to 8,000 troops, was being prepared to assist Trump’s Board of Peace, in remarks cited by national news agency Antara.

Maruli said that initial preparations within the Indonesian army were already underway. The personnel are being prepared to function as peacekeeping forces, he added, and deployment would focus on engineering and medical units.

The Kan public broadcaster reported yesterday that several thousand Indonesian troops are expected to deploy in Gaza in the coming weeks.

The Indonesian soldiers would be the first members of the International Stabilization Force to reach Gaza, though there is no set date for their arrival.

The force will live in the southeast of Rafah, according to the report. Offices and living quarters will be built for the force in the coming weeks. The Prime Minister’s Office did not respond to requests for comment on the Kan report.