WASHINGTON: Several countries, including Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania, have pledged to contribute troops to a proposed Gaza stabilisation mission, the commander of a newly planned International Stabilisation Force (ISF) said during a meeting hosted under Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace.”
US Army General Jasper Jeffers, appointed to lead the future force, said the Indonesian contingent had accepted the position of deputy commander, describing the commitments as an important step toward restoring security in the war-affected Palestinian territory. The meeting was held in Washington, D.C..
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said his country could contribute up to 8,000 personnel to support peace efforts in Gaza Strip. Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also announced plans to send troops, including medical units, while Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said Rabat was prepared to deploy police personnel. Albania has similarly indicated readiness to provide troops.
Neighbouring Egypt and Jordan have offered to assist by training Palestinian police forces.
Indonesia, among the first countries to commit to the initiative, said its participation would focus on humanitarian support, civilian protection, reconstruction and capacity-building of Palestinian security institutions. Officials emphasised that Indonesian troops would not take part in combat operations or direct confrontations with armed groups.
However, rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have raised concerns that participation in the initiative could risk legitimising alleged violations of international law. Some Palestinian voices have also expressed apprehension that the plan could entrench Israel’s control over Gaza despite ongoing ceasefire arrangements with Hamas.
The proposed stabilisation force differs from traditional peacekeeping missions led by multilateral bodies such as the United Nations. For comparison, more than 10,000 personnel currently serve in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), established in 1978 to monitor hostilities in southern Lebanon.