Defence Minister States TNI Ready to Deploy to Gaza, but Awaiting BoP Developments

Jakarta, Indonesia — Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stated that plans for the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) to deploy to Gaza in the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) mission remain pending developments from the Board of Peace (BoP).

“We are ready to depart, but we are awaiting developments from the BoP,” Sjafrie said when met at the Defence Ministry in central Jakarta on Thursday (12 March 2026).

However, Sjafrie could not confirm a deployment schedule for TNI forces due to the dynamics that have emerged following Israeli and American military strikes against Iran.

Sjafrie emphasised that Indonesia’s position continues to prioritise national interests as mandated by the constitution, namely protecting the entire nation and Indonesian territory.

He added that deployment of forces to international missions must also consider humanitarian aspects, in line with the spirit contained in the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution.

Sjafrie also noted that Prabowo Subianto has instructed the Defence Ministry to prepare the forces. Preparations are currently underway, and the forces have been declared ready for deployment.

“This geopolitical dynamic is very high. So we are always waiting at any moment. But the most important thing is not the BoP. If the BoP asks us to send them tomorrow, we must be ready today. We are ready today,” said Sjafrie.

Speaking at a press conference at the Foreign Ministry office on Friday (6 March 2026), Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang stated that discussions regarding the Board of Peace have been suspended, or placed on hold.

Mewengkang said that the government is currently focused on ensuring the safety and protection of Indonesian citizens (WNI) located in conflict zones.

“We are also focused on preparing anticipatory measures to address the impacts of the escalation,” she said.