RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister clarified the country’s expanding role in the Gaza peace framework, emphasizing that Indonesia has secured permanent membership in the Board of Peace (BoP) without paying a previously discussed USD 1 billion contribution.

Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono said the USD 1 billion figure was never a mandatory membership fee. “From the beginning I said this is not a membership fee, not a requirement for membership. We are now members, even without paying, it’s fine,” he said on Friday, February 20, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He explained that such figures referred to optional contribution schemes for specific roles, not to permanent membership status. Indonesia, he added, has instead pledged around 8,000 personnel for peacekeeping duties.

Indonesia’s participation is tied to the International Stabilization Force (ISF), established under the BoP to help stabilize post-war Gaza. Minister Sugiono stressed that Indonesian troops will not conduct military operations, disarmament, or demilitarization.

“Our national caveat has been conveyed to ISF that we do not conduct military operations. We do not carry out disarmament,” he continued, adding that the troops will focus on protecting civilians, humanitarian efforts, and self-defense under established rules of engagement.

Indonesia has also been appointed Deputy Commander for Operations within the ISF, a role that Minister Sugiono described as recognition of the country’s peacekeeping track record. ISF commander Jasper Jeffers projected that 20,000 soldiers and 12,000 police could eventually be deployed, with Rafah in southern Gaza identified as the initial operational focus.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, speaking at the inaugural BoP summit at the Donald Trump Institute of Peace, reaffirmed Indonesia’s readiness to send 8,000 troops. “The ceasefire in Gaza is a real achievement. We praise this achievement and reaffirm our commitment to contribute a significant number of troops, 8,000, even more if needed,” he said.

Minister Sugiono also dismissed speculation that Indonesia’s ISF role implies diplomatic recognition of Israel. “This is not related to recognition or diplomatic relations. This is a force mandated to maintain peace,” he added, noting that all participating countries are allowed to set national deployment limitations.

Separately, Minister Sugiono met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio following the BoP summit. He conveyed concerns shared by members of the Developing Eight (D8) over violence in the West Bank and urged U.S. leadership to help ensure that military actions do not derail the Board of Peace’s roadmap.

Discussions also covered bilateral ties and regional issues in the Indo-Pacific and ASEAN, underscoring Indonesia’s broader diplomatic engagement alongside its new peacekeeping commitments. ***