February 20, 2026 | 06:32 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia has accepted a U.S. offer to serve as Deputy Commander of the International Stabilization Force (ISF). U.S. Major General Jasper Jeffers, appointed by U.S. President Donald Trump as ISF Commander, announced the appointment during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, D.C.
Jeffers explained that ISF personnel are tasked with ensuring stabilization throughout Gaza. The forces are slated for deployment across five distinct sectors of the Gaza Strip: Rafah, Khan Yunis, Deir el-Balah, Gaza City, and Northern Gaza. According to Jeffers, each of these sectors will be assigned one ISF brigade.
"In the short term, we plan to deploy to the Rafah sector first, in addition to the training of police," Jeffers stated, as quoted in a live broadcast from the White House.
The medium-term strategy involves expanding the deployment sector by sector, with a long-term target of 12,000 police and 20,000 ISF troops on the ground.
Jeffers also announced that five initial countries have committed military personnel to the ISF: Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania. Meanwhile, Egypt and Jordan have committed to training the local police force.
"I would also like to announce that I have offered and Indonesia has accepted the position of Deputy Commander for the ISF," Jeffers said. "With these first steps, we will help bring the security Gaza needs for a future of prosperity and enduring peace."
During the same event, President Donald Trump expressed his appreciation for the attending state representatives, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Trump noted that the nations joining the Board of Peace are providing more than just financial aid; they are willing to deploy personnel to uphold the ceasefire and ensure peace in Gaza.
Trump specifically highlighted Indonesia’s contribution to the mission. "President Prabowo of Indonesia, thank you very much. It’s a big country you have, and you do a great job," Trump remarked.
Indonesia is currently preparing approximately 8,000 soldiers from the Indonesian Military (TNI) for deployment to the Gaza Strip through the ISF. The ISF is set to operate under the direction of the Board of Peace, a body formed by President Trump and approved by the United Nations Security Council via Resolution 2803 on November 17, 2025.
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the plan for involvement in the International Stabilization Force has received the green light from Palestinian authorities.
However, the Indonesian government has yet to announce a specific departure schedule or technical details, such as the operational mandate, length of assignment, specific placement points, or implementation mechanisms on the ground.
Indonesia's participation in the Board of Peace has not been without criticism. The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), for instance, argues that membership in this US-led body betrays the spirit and values of the Indonesian people, who have historically stood in solidarity with Palestine.
YLBHI specifically criticized the plan to send thousands of Indonesian troops to "assist" the US and Israel in demilitarizing Hamas. The foundation asserts that this sets a troubling precedent against the rights of Palestine as a sovereign state.
Adinda Jasmine contributed to the report
Read: Indonesia Claims ISF Participation in Gaza Gains Palestine 'Consent'
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