Indonesia Offers 20,000 Troops for Gaza Peacekeeping Mission

New York – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has announced that his country is prepared to send at least 20,000 troops to Gaza as part of a future peacekeeping mission, if endorsed by the United Nations.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, President Subianto emphasised that Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, stands for peace that proves “might cannot make right”.

“We believe in the UN. We will continue to serve where peace needs guardians — not with just words, but with boots on the ground,” he said.

He further pledged that, if the UN Security Council and the General Assembly approve, Indonesia is ready to deploy 20,000 or more troops to Gaza to help secure peace. Subianto also indicated his country’s willingness to contribute peacekeepers to other conflict zones, including Ukraine, Sudan, and Libya.

The announcement comes as international discussions continue over a possible post-war plan for Gaza. Despite months of talks led by the United States and Arab states, little progress has been made. Gaza remains in crisis, with over 65,000 Palestinians reported killed since Israel launched its bombardment campaign in October 2023.

Read more: Indonesia launches free annual health screening program

Indonesia has launched a new health initiative, offering free annual health screenings to its citizens. The program, which costs 3 trillion rupiah ($183.54 million), is the country’s largest health project ever, according to the Ministry of Health.

Under this program, every Indonesian will eventually receive a free health checkup on their birthday. The screenings will include blood pressure checks, tests to assess the risk of heart problems or strokes, and eye tests. However, participation is voluntary, not mandatory.

The initial focus of the program is on children under six years old and adults aged 18 and above, said Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.