Amid Indonesia's Suspension from BoP, Israeli Media Reveals 500 TNI Personnel to Deploy to Gaza

Israeli media outlets have reported that Indonesia intends to proceed with plans to deploy its military personnel to Gaza, Palestine.

Haaretz reported on Wednesday (18 March 2026) that the administration of President Prabowo Subianto remains committed to deploying 500 Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel to Gaza to assist in disarming factions of Hamas resistance fighters. However, according to Haaretz, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has expressed doubts about the Indonesian military’s capabilities.

“Indonesia will proceed with deploying 500 of its troops to Gaza to disarm Hamas amidst Israeli doubts,” read the headline in Haaretz on Wednesday.

The report stated that the IDF has reiterated warnings about Hamas beginning to rebuild its armed resistance capabilities against Israel. Hamas, it was reported, has begun reconstructing tunnels that have previously served as locations for Israeli military operations.

“In recent weeks, the IDF has warned that Hamas is rebuilding its capabilities faster than previously anticipated, and intelligence indicates that the group has begun reconstructing tunnels,” the Haaretz report stated.

Notwithstanding Israeli military doubts regarding the TNI’s capabilities, President Prabowo is proceeding with the deployment plan to Gaza for the disarming mission.

According to Haaretz’s reporting, TNI forces are expected to arrive in Gaza by May 2026 at the latest. “Approximately 500 Indonesian troops are estimated to enter Gaza in May to assist in efforts to disarm Hamas, although Israeli military officials have expressed doubts about the Indonesian military’s ability to carry out such a disarming mission,” Haaretz reported.