A member of House of Representatives Commission I, Syamsu Rizal, has\ncalled on the Defence Ministry to involve parliament in plans to deploy\nIndonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) troops to Gaza, Palestine. The\nNational Awakening Party (PKB) politician considers the planned troop\ndeployment a crucial decision requiring further deliberation with\nlawmakers.<\/p>\n
He urged the Defence Ministry to explain the details through a\nworking meeting with Commission I. \u201cA decision of this magnitude must go\nthrough thorough and transparent deliberation,\u201d Syamsu Rizal said in a\nwritten statement on the PKB faction\u2019s website on Friday, 20 February\n2026.<\/p>\n
Syamsu said the troop deployment to Gaza requires special\npreparedness in terms of strategy, equipment and risk mitigation. He\nalso noted the significant potential for friction between TNI forces and\nresistance fighters in Gaza, given that it is an active conflict zone\nthat could endanger the safety of soldiers.<\/p>\n
Taking this into consideration, Syamsu believes the Defence Ministry\nmust provide a full explanation to parliament as the people\u2019s\nrepresentative. In such a meeting, he wants to understand the\nobjectives, mandate, rules of engagement and protection mechanisms for\nTNI personnel.<\/p>\n
He argued that such an explanation could prevent public confusion\nover the government\u2019s decision to send eight thousand TNI personnel to\nthe Gaza strip. \u201cThere must not be strategic decisions made with minimal\nexplanation to the public,\u201d Syamsu said.<\/p>\n
The plan to deploy eight thousand troops to Gaza was affirmed by\nPresident Prabowo Subianto during the inaugural summit of the Board of\nPeace in Washington D.C., United States, on Thursday, 19 February\n2026.<\/p>\n
Prabowo made the pledge before approximately 20 leaders of Board of\nPeace member states, including United States President Donald Trump. \u201cWe\nreaffirm our commitment to contribute a substantial number of troops, up\nto 8,000 or more if necessary,\u201d Prabowo said.<\/p>\n
Prabowo said the ceasefire in Gaza had achieved tangible results.\nIndonesia is therefore prepared to send TNI troops to realise a peaceful\nsolution for the Palestinian issue and in Gaza.<\/p>\n
According to Prabowo, TNI soldiers would join peacekeeping forces\nfrom various countries for the mission in Gaza. The deployment of\nthousands of military personnel follows Indonesia\u2019s acceptance of a US\noffer to serve as Deputy Commander of the International Stabilisation\nForce (ISF) initiated by Trump.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Foreign Ministry stated that Indonesia\u2019s planned\ninvolvement in the International Stabilisation Force has received\napproval from Palestinian authorities. Foreign Ministry spokesperson\nVahd Nabyl Achmad Mulachela said the Palestinian side was aware of the\nplan and had approved it as it aligns with the humanitarian mission\nIndonesia is carrying out.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is done with the consent of the Palestinian side. This\ntherefore forms part of the unified framework of Indonesia\u2019s involvement\nin the ISF,\u201d Nabyl said at a press conference at the Foreign Ministry\noffice in Central Jakarta on Thursday, 19 February 2026.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the Indonesian government has yet to announce a\ndeparture schedule or technical details, including the operational\nmandate, duration of assignment, deployment locations and implementation\nmechanisms on the ground.<\/p>\n
Indonesia\u2019s involvement in the Board of Peace has drawn criticism.\nThe Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), for instance, considers\nmembership in this US-initiated international body a betrayal of the\nspirit and values of the Indonesian people, who have historically sided\nwith Palestine.<\/p>\n
YLBHI highlighted the plan to deploy thousands of Indonesian soldiers\nto \u2018assist\u2019 the US and Israel in demilitarising Hamas in Palestine.\nYLBHI emphasised this sets a dangerous precedent against Palestine\u2019s\nrights as a state.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pkb-deployment-of-tni-troops-to-gaza-must-be-discussed-with-parliament-1771653056", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }