Plans for the Gaza International Stabilization Force are in question as troop pledges stall

The Gaza International Stabilization Force, proposed at the February meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, remains stalled three months later. None of the five countries pledged to contribute troops—Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania—have fulfilled their commitments. The force, led by U.S. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, was intended to support a fragile ceasefire in Gaza amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Indonesia’s pledge of 8,000 troops, the largest commitment, was put on indefinite hold after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February. Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin cited a lack of implementation guidelines from Washington and shifting priorities due to the escalating U.S.-Iran conflict. He stated that the Board of Peace had been overshadowed by the broader regional tensions, leaving the stabilization force without progress. Domestic factors also influenced Indonesia’s decision. The Iran war is unpopular in the country, where economic struggles have fueled skepticism toward international military commitments. Public opinion has further soured after four Indonesian peacekeepers died in Lebanon during fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group. Analysts note widespread distrust in the Board of Peace’s ability to address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. The stalled ceasefire has worsened as Hamas refuses to disarm and Israel continues military operations, often targeting civilians. Meanwhile, Arab and Muslim leaders face pressure to avoid openly cooperating with the U.S. and Israel, which are widely seen as aggressors in the region. The global energy crisis, exacerbated by the conflict, has also drained resources from potential stabilization efforts. U.S. Central Command has not publicly addressed the delays, though officials have previously blamed Hamas for the ceasefire’s collapse. Without troop contributions, the stabilization force remains unfunded and unformed, leaving Gaza’s future uncertain.