Indonesia Reduces Gaza Deployment to 8,000 Troops as Other Nations Send Only Hundreds

Jakarta — Indonesia’s Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stated that Indonesia has 20,000 TNI personnel ready to deploy to Gaza to join the International Stabilisation Force (ISF). However, because other nations are sending only hundreds of troops, Indonesia has scaled down its commitment to 8,000 personnel.

“But it turns out other countries are only sending a few hundred, a few hundred. So we’re ready with 8,000,” Sjafrie said when met at the Indonesian Defence Ministry in Central Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

Sjafrie stated that the planned deployment of TNI forces to Gaza is still awaiting developments from the Board of Peace (BoP). Nevertheless, he could not confirm the exact departure schedule for TNI forces, acknowledging that BoP dynamics remain highly fluid.

Sjafrie emphasised that Indonesia’s stance continues to prioritise national interests as mandated by the constitution, namely protecting the entire nation and all Indonesian territory. He added that troop deployments to international missions must also consider humanitarian aspects, consistent with the spirit outlined in the Preamble to the Constitution.

“Therefore, the duties we carry out cannot only be about tasks to address a conflict, but we must also consider humanitarian concerns,” he added.

Currently, preparations have been completed and the forces are declared ready for deployment. “This geopolitical dynamic is very high. So we’re always on standby at any moment. But the most important thing is not the BoP. If the BoP asks us to deploy tomorrow, we must be ready today. We are ready today,” he emphasised.