JAKARTA: Indonesia is preparing 1,000 troops for potential deployment to Gaza by early April as part of a proposed multinational peacekeeping force, according to the country’s military spokesperson.
Army spokesperson Donny Pramono stated that the final decision regarding deployment will rest with the government. He added that Indonesia aims to have up to 8,000 personnel on standby for overseas assignment by June.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that member states of the newly formed Board of Peace are expected to pledge over $5 billion for Gaza’s reconstruction and humanitarian assistance at a meeting scheduled for February 19. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said participating nations have also committed thousands of personnel to a UN-authorised stabilisation force and to support local policing efforts in Gaza.
The inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace will be held at the Donald J Trump Institute of Peace, recently renamed by the US State Department. Delegations from more than 20 countries, including several heads of state, are expected to attend.
Regional powers such as Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel and Indonesia have joined the board, while several Western nations have taken a more cautious approach.
Permanent members are required to contribute $1 billion to join, prompting criticism that the body could resemble a “pay-to-play” version of the UN Security Council. The initiative was first introduced by Trump during the World Economic Forum in Davos in January.
Countries including Croatia, France, Italy, New Zealand and Norway have opted not to participate.
The board’s formation was endorsed through a United Nations Security Council resolution as part of a broader US-led plan to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Although a ceasefire took effect in October last year, both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violations.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 590 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the ceasefire began, while Israel reports that four of its soldiers have been killed by Palestinian militants during the same period.
