• Indonesia plans to send up to 8,000 troops to Gaza as part of a US peace initiative.
• The troop deployment focuses on humanitarian and reconstruction efforts.
• Criticism arises regarding Indonesia's involvement amid ongoing tensions in Gaza.
• President Prabowo Subianto aims to stabilize Gaza as a prominent Muslim nation.
• The deployment is part of the broader International Stabilization Force supported by the UN.

Indonesia is preparing to deploy up to 8,000 troops to Gaza in support of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, making it the first nation to publicly commit troops for such a mission, according to Channel News Asia and Middle East Eye. The Indonesian army chief of staff, General Maruli Simanjuntak, noted that the planned deployment is still tentative, stressing that while preparations are underway, details such as troop numbers and specific deployment activities remain unconfirmed.

The troops would serve under the framework of an International Stabilization Force (ISF), which aims to assist in humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Gaza. General Simanjuntak indicated that training for the personnel is already commencing, with a focus on healthcare and engineering roles, according to BBC and Middle East Eye. The first meeting of the US Board of Peace, created to oversee this initiative, is scheduled for February 19, where President Prabowo Subianto is expected to discuss Indonesia's participation, although his attendance is not yet confirmed.

As the world's largest Muslim-majority country, Indonesia emphasizes its role in stabilizing Gaza and providing humanitarian support, amid criticism from some groups about Indonesia's alignment with US policies. Prabowo has stated the deployment is intended to contribute constructively towards peace and aligns with Indonesia's long-standing commitment to international peacekeeping, according to reports from Channel News Asia and BBC.

Despite the preparations, significant concerns remain regarding the nature of peace in Gaza, particularly with Hamas's refusal to disarm. Critics assert that the ISF's role might complicate the situation further, but Indonesian officials maintain that their contribution will strictly focus on humanitarian objectives rather than military engagement, as highlighted in analyses from Middle East Eye and Channel News Asia.