TNA Staff
The New Arab / November 30, 2025
Countries expected to join the Gaza stabilisation force are reconsidering their involvement – including reducing troop numbers, according to a report.
Plans to deploy an international force in Gaza – a key part of US President Donald Trump’s plan – are facing significant setbacks as participating countries have become increasingly hesitant about committing troops, The Washington Post reported on Saturday.
Citing informed sources, the newspaper said that concerns have intensified that troops will be compelled to use force against Palestinians, leading several states to withdraw offers to deploy units.
Indonesia, which had previously pledged to send 20,000 peacekeepers, is now considering sending a significantly smaller force, according to Indonesian officials who spoke to The Washington Post on condition of anonymity.
“They want the international stabilizing force to come into Gaza and restore, quote unquote, law and order and disarm any resistance,” a senior official in Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. “So that’s the problem. Nobody wants to do that.”
Sources in the ministry said Jakarta now aims to send an initial deployment of 1,200 troops – a process that will take around six months. The sources emphasised that officers are “very hesitant” about becoming entangled in clashes with Palestinians.
According to an internal Indonesian military briefing circulated in October and seen by The Washington Post, troops would likely be expected to be deployed in areas of Gaza not under Israeli control. Hamas, still resisting demands to disarm, is reasserting authority in these areas, where the majority of Gaza’s population live.
Another official was quoted as saying that Indonesia was “rebuked” for prematurely committing forces – a pledge President Prabowo Subianto made in his United Nations General Assembly address in September.
Other sources said Azerbaijan is also reassessing its position.
“A month ago, things were in a better place,” a regional official with knowledge of the talks was quoted as saying.
The international peacekeeping force also lacks crucial backing from Arab states, which have also expressed concerns.
Jordan has said it will stay out of the peacekeeping force due to being “too close politically” to the situation, while Egypt has been keen to emphasise that the peacekeepers’ role will be “monitoring” – rather than enforcing – the ceasefire.
Earlier this month, the UAE’s top presidential advisor Anwar Gargash said Abu Dhabi sees no “clear framework” for the force. This indicates a change of tone from the Emiratis, who had earlier expressed enthusiasm for the plan.
The report comes as the Gaza ceasefire continues to be threatened by Israel’s bombing of Gaza, which has killed hundreds of Palestinians since the truce came into force in October.
The issue of disarming Hamas – another key plank of Trump’s 20-point plan – appears to have stalled. Recent reports have indicated Israeli frustration with the lack of progress on the matter, with Washington largely focused on plans to partition Gaza and confine redevelopment to the Israeli-controlled areas.
