President Prabowo’s Gaza deployment raises concerns about Indonesia troops, Israel occupation optics, and role in Gaza peace plan
Indonesia is preparing to deploy 1,000 troops to Gaza within weeks as part of a US-backed “Board of Peace” initiative, a move that has triggered debate at home over Jakarta’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.
President Prabowo Subianto has pledged a total of 8,000 Indonesian troops for the proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF), making Indonesia the first country to commit specific numbers to the initiative led by US President Donald Trump.
According to Indonesian military spokesperson Brigadier General Donny Pramono, the first contingent is expected to arrive in Gaza by April, with the majority deployed by June.
Concerns Over Role in Gaza
Indonesia has a strong record in UN peacekeeping missions. However, critics warn that this mission differs significantly because it is not formally under United Nations oversight.
Analysts fear Indonesian forces could be perceived as legitimising Israel’s control over Gaza, particularly given Indonesia’s long-standing refusal to establish diplomatic ties with Israel.
Shofwan Al Banna Choiruzzad, an associate professor at the University of Indonesia, warned that Jakarta risks being used as a “buffer” force.
“It would be painful for both Palestinians and Indonesians if the Indonesian army became an instrument of the occupation,” he said, arguing the structure of the Board of Peace sidelines Palestinian voices.
Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry has stressed that its Indonesia troops will operate solely to support Palestinian recovery, independence, and sovereignty. The country also plans to send hospital ships and expand humanitarian assistance.
Political Optics and Global Ambitions
Observers say the Gaza deployment reflects President Prabowo’s ambition to elevate Indonesia’s global profile.
Since taking office, Prabowo has positioned himself as an assertive international actor, engaging with major powers including the US, China, and Russia. His participation in the Board of Peace is seen by some analysts as part of a broader strategy to strengthen diplomatic ties with Washington.
Indonesia recently signed a trade deal with the US, reducing tariff pressures after negotiations linked to Trump’s trade policies. Some analysts believe Jakarta’s support for the Gaza initiative could also be tied to maintaining strong US relations.
Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, director at the Centre for Economic and Law Studies in Jakarta, suggested the move is partly about “maintaining optics” and projecting Indonesia as a global peace broker.
Balancing Solidarity and Strategy
Indonesia has historically been one of the most vocal supporters of a two-state solution and Palestinian independence. Civil society groups and religious leaders have urged Prabowo to ensure the mission does not compromise that stance.
The president reportedly told domestic groups he would withdraw from the Board of Peace if it fails to advance an independent Palestine.
Still, questions remain over whether Indonesia troops in Gaza could face operational coordination with Israeli forces — something critics say could amount to indirect recognition of Israel’s authority in the enclave.
As preparations accelerate, the deployment is shaping into a defining foreign policy test for Prabowo — balancing Indonesia’s solidarity with Palestine against its ambitions on the global stage and involvement in the evolving Gaza peace plan.
Source: Al Jazeera