Defence Minister: Deployment of TNI Troops to Gaza Awaits Board of Peace Update
Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stated that 8,000 TNI personnel are ready to be deployed to the Gaza Strip, Palestine, for an assignment with the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) established by the Board of Peace. However, there remains no certainty regarding the timing of the deployment of these peacekeeping forces.
“We are awaiting developments from the Board of Peace,” he said following a meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles at his office on Thursday, 12 March 2026.
According to Sjafrie, the dynamics within the Peace Board, established by US President Donald Trump, remain highly fluid. “The Board of Peace is, as I believe we all understand, involves coordination between President Trump’s plan and the United Nations,” he said.
This is especially so following the conflict involving the United States and Israel, along with Iran. Sjafrie stated that the conflict between Iran and the two Board of Peace member states requires special attention.
However, he stated that Indonesia’s stance on the continued deployment of peacekeeping forces to Gaza remains oriented towards national interests. Sjafrie said this has become a constitutional mandate, which stipulates that the state must protect all Indonesian territory and people.
Therefore, he stated that the deployment of 8,000 TNI personnel as peacekeepers must take humanitarian aspects into account. “So the mission we carry out cannot only think about tasks in the context of facing a particular conflict,” said Sjafrie.
The plan to send 8,000 Indonesian troops to Gaza has faced rejection from various quarters. One is the Forum of Retired TNI Personnel, which has called for the plan to be cancelled.
The Forum of Retirees argues that Indonesia’s involvement in the international stabilisation force launched by US President Donald Trump violates the constitution. General (Retired) Fachrul Razi explained that to date, Indonesia’s involvement in international peacekeeping forces can only be undertaken on UN mandate, not by other organisations.
“Especially through the Board of Peace led by an American general. This truly offends the feelings of Palestinian friends,” said Fachrul on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
Additionally, the deployment of forces on such a large scale must also be subject to coordination, consultation, and approval from the House of Representatives. The Forum of Retirees argues that the lack of proper planning with the House, followed by a decision made only by the President, demonstrates that TNI involvement in the ISF is not a state agenda, but rather Prabowo’s personal agenda.
“In accordance with the constitution, strategic decisions must receive approval from the House of Representatives and all relevant parties,” said Fachrul.
The former Religious Affairs Minister continued, noting that Prabowo’s claim that Indonesia will not be involved in armed operations, combined with Indonesia having a strategic role as Deputy Commander of the ISF, is not sufficient guarantee that this operation will not oppress Palestine as America has promised.
In military terms, Fachrul said, the position of deputy commander and supreme commander is one package. When the commander represented by America decides to conduct a weapons-disarming operation, it is unlikely that the deputy commander from Indonesia could refuse.