Gaza Stabilization Force Stalls After Indonesia Freezes 8,000 Troops as 20,000-Strong Plan Falters
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 28
Gaza Stabilization Force Stalls After Indonesia Freezes 8,000 Troops as 20,000-Strong Plan Falters
7 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 28
Indonesia put its 8,000-troop pledge on indefinite hold, stripping the planned Gaza force of its biggest contribution after the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran.
The 20,000-strong International Stabilization Force now has no meaningful deployment from any of five pledged countries, with Arab and Muslim governments facing political backlash, higher energy costs and doubts about U.S. follow-through.
Board of Peace officials say the force cannot begin until a second ceasefire phase takes effect, requiring Hamas to disarm and Israel to start withdrawing from Gaza.
That condition remains unmet: Hamas accuses Israel of violating the truce and delaying implementation, while Israeli troops still control about 60% of Gaza and strikes have killed more than 880 Palestinians since the ceasefire, according to local officials.
Other pledges remain largely token or unclear—Kosovo has discussed 20 troops, Kazakhstan only humanitarian units, and Albania and Morocco have yet to confirm operational deployments.
Can a Gaza peace plan succeed while its main backer, the United States, is simultaneously engaged in war with Iran?
As the Strait of Hormuz crisis drains global resources, will Gaza's humanitarian needs be permanently sidelined?
With U.S. aid agencies dismantled and UN funds depleted, who will actually fund and execute Gaza's reconstruction?
Why the Gaza Stabilization Force Failed: Lessons from Indonesia’s Withdrawal and the Collapse of the Board of Peace (2025–2026)
Overview
As of May 28, 2026, the International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza is on indefinite hold, mainly because only Indonesia moved beyond promises to real preparations, while other countries did not commit. Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto announced plans to send a large brigade, sparking strong debate at home. Supporters saw this as Indonesia showing leadership and supporting Palestinians, but critics worried about the risks to soldiers and the impact on Indonesia’s foreign policy, especially with ongoing conflict involving Iran and Israel. Despite Indonesia preparing troops and facilities in Rafah, the lack of wider international support stalled the mission.