US moves to establish an international military base south of Gaza with the participation of Morocco and other countries

The diplomatic and military steps led by the US administration to impose a new reality in the Gaza Strip under the name of an "international stabilization force" are accelerating. Media sources reported that Washington has made significant progress in discussions with Morocco, Greece, and Albania to send military units to participate in this force, amid indications suggesting that Morocco will likely be the first Arab country to officially join this international formation.

Hebrew reports stated that these contacts come within the context of comprehensive security and political arrangements being prepared by the United States for the post-war phase in the besieged Strip. These moves aim to find international security alternatives to manage the field situation, coinciding with US pressure to involve regional and international parties in bearing security and administrative responsibilities within Gaza.

On the ground, informed sources revealed direct coordination that took place in recent days between representatives of the US command headquarters in the "Kiryat Gat" area and the command of the Southern Command in the Israeli occupation army. These discussions focused on arrangements for entering the geographical area located between the cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis in the southern part of the Strip, in preparation for the inauguration of a permanent international military presence.

Leaked plans indicate Washington's intention to build a massive military base in the southern Gaza Strip, to serve as the main headquarters for the multinational force and representatives of the participating armies. US forces are expected to be accompanied by contractors and engineers to finalize the construction plans, with actual construction operations scheduled to begin before the end of February.

In a related context, military authorities in Indonesia announced the preparation of about a thousand soldiers as a first batch for potential deployment in the Gaza Strip by early April. The Indonesian army spokesman clarified that this force could expand to reach eight thousand soldiers by June, provided a final political decision is issued by the supreme command in Jakarta.

This Indonesian move is linked to an anticipated visit by President Prabowo Subianto to the US capital, Washington, this week, where he will participate in the first meeting of what is known as the "Peace Council." This council, chaired by US President Donald Trump, is considered the cornerstone of the American plan aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza and reshaping security arrangements.

The UN Security Council granted legal cover for these moves in November 2025, when it approved the establishment of the "Peace Council" as an international framework for managing the crisis. These steps come within the vision of the Trump administration, which seeks to integrate international and regional powers in managing the affairs of the Strip, ensuring the end of direct military operations and the transition to a phase of stability.

For its part, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs hastened to clarify its position, emphasizing that any military participation does not in any way mean recognition of the Israeli occupation or normalization of relations with it. Jakarta stressed in an official statement its categorical rejection of any attempts aimed at forced displacement or demographic change in the Palestinian territories, considering its position on the rights of the Palestinian people to be firm.

Indonesian sources concluded by affirming that the tasks of its forces will be humanitarian and non-combatant in nature, and will not interfere with the disarmament of any of the Palestinian parties. Jakarta also stipulated obtaining explicit approval from the Palestinian Authority before sending any soldier, to ensure that the international presence is coordinated with Palestinian legitimacy and in accordance with approved international mechanisms.

Indonesia's military participation in the international stabilization force does not mean normalizing relations, and will only take place with the approval of the Palestinian Authority and for humanitarian missions.