Plans for the International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza are in question as troop pledges stall, with Indonesia, the largest prospective contributor, placing its commitment on indefinite hold. This development leaves the 20,000-strong force, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in February, without significant contributions, highlighting a broader reluctance among nations to commit resources to transnational elite initiatives.
The American general tapped to lead the ISF, U.S. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, stated the force would ensure “future prosperity and enduring peace” after the Israel-Hamas war. However, three months after its announcement, no substantial force has materialized, as none of the five countries that initially pledged troops have delivered significant contributions.
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The most substantial setback to the planned force occurred approximately one week after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28. Indonesia, which had committed 8,000 troops—by far the largest pledge—suspended its plans indefinitely. Some 1,000 Indonesian troops were scheduled for deployment in April, with the remainder to follow in June.
Indonesia’s Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin cited a perceived lack of commitment from Washington, stating, “we have not yet received any implementation guidelines.” He noted the emergence of “new dynamics,” adding that the “intensity of the conflict between U.S. and Iranian forces remains very high,” causing the Board of Peace and, consequently, the ISF, to be “left behind.”
Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, director of the Indonesia-Middle East/North Africa desk at Jakarta’s Center for Economic and Law Studies, indicated that domestic issues likely influenced Indonesia’s decision. The Iran war is widely unpopular in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, and its economy is experiencing soaring prices as a direct result of the conflict. Rakhmat also reported widespread skepticism regarding the Board of Peace among the native population, stating, “If you talk to the people on the street, I don’t think they believe that the Board of Peace will actually help the people of Gaza.”
Concerns about deploying troops to the Middle East amidst a faltering national economy were also noted. Indonesia previously lost four peacekeepers during a United Nations mission in Lebanon, a factor that has further soured public opinion on such international commitments, according to Rakhmat.
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Board of Peace spokesman Brad Klapper declined to comment on Indonesia’s decision or the future of the stabilization force. He instead referred to May 21 remarks made at the U.N. by Nickolay Mladenov, a former Bulgarian defense minister appointed director of the Board of Peace by U.S. President Trump. Mladenov stated that the international force could not commence operations until a second phase of the ceasefire was agreed upon and implemented, requiring Hamas to disarm and Israel to begin withdrawal. Israeli troops currently control approximately 60% of Gaza.
Mladenov attributed the deadlock to Hamas, declaring its disarmament “non-negotiable” and asserting it obstructs progress on other fronts, including Israel’s withdrawal and reconstruction. He stated in Jerusalem this month, “You cannot build a future with armed groups running the streets, hiding in tunnels and stockpiling weapons,” and “You cannot deliver reconstruction with militias on every corner.”
Hamas, however, accuses Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire, impeding further implementation, and has charged Mladenov with siding with Israel. Local health officials report that Israeli strikes have killed more than 880 Palestinians since the ceasefire, with Israel claiming these actions were responses to truce violations.
An Egyptian official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Hamas is demanding Israel withdraw from areas seized since the ceasefire began. Many nations that pledged forces have refused to deploy troops without a disarmament deal for Hamas.
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Kazakhstan has limited its support for the stabilization force to a “humanitarian component,” including medical units and a field hospital. Its Foreign Ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Albania’s Defense Ministry also declined to comment, describing its troop commitment as a “dynamic and ongoing process.” Earlier this month, Albania’s chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Arben Kingji, confirmed military participation in “reconnaissance activities” but stated no troops had been sent, with only a few to be dispatched for the stabilization force headquarters.
Kosovo, expected to send 20 troops, stated in April that it was in the “final phase of preparations.” Its Defense Ministry did not provide an update. Morocco’s Foreign Ministry also did not reply to inquiries, though Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita had previously stated Morocco would deploy “high-level military officers to the joint military command of the ISF.”
Despite Indonesia’s delays, Rakhmat suggested that eventual participation in the stabilization force could not be ruled out. He noted that President Prabowo Subianto, a former army general, aims to elevate Indonesia’s global standing and seeks to avoid jeopardizing economic ties with the U.S. Rakhmat concluded, “Prabowo wants to strengthen ties to Washington and sign different agreements with the U.S., so to completely withdraw and completely cancel the plan, I don’t think it’s on the table.” This indicates that national economic interests, rather than popular will, may ultimately drive engagement with transnational agendas.