Indonesia Sets Four National Caveats for ISF Mission in Gaza

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has identified four national caveats established by Indonesia for its involvement in the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in the Gaza Strip. These conditions serve as prerequisites for Indonesia’s participation in the mission.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said the government had set clear parameters for its involvement from the outset, noting that Indonesia had established firm national caveats from the very beginning.

“First, Indonesia’s participation is non-combat and non-demilitarisation in nature, and does not include disarmament activities,” Yvonne told Tempo on Monday, 23 February 2026.

Second, Indonesia will not engage in direct confrontation with any party. Third, the deployment of Indonesian personnel is limited to the Gaza area and must receive the consent of Palestinian authorities.

Fourth, the use of force is permitted only for self-defence and to uphold the mandate. Such use must be proportional, graduated, employed as a last resort, and in accordance with international law and the Rules of Engagement.

Yvonne stated that Indonesia’s participation in the ISF is focused on civilian protection, the provision of humanitarian and medical aid, reconstruction, and strengthening the capacity of Palestinian civil authorities through training for Palestinian civilian police.

Hikmahanto Juwana, Professor of International Law at the University of Indonesia, questioned the effectiveness of the national caveats the government claims to have communicated regarding Indonesia’s involvement in the Gaza mission. He raised concerns about whether these national limitations would genuinely be considered and used as the basis for directing Indonesian troops. “Will the national caveat be considered and used as the basis for moving our troops, or not?” Hikmahanto said when contacted on Sunday, 22 February 2026.

He noted that once a country contributes troops, operational control may rest with the mission command. In such circumstances, he said, there is a possibility that the command structure could regard national caveats as merely the internal affairs of the contributing nation, whilst decisions on troop movements remain under mission command control.

Hikmahanto also urged the government to exercise caution regarding Indonesia’s appointment as Deputy Commander. He suggested the position could be a strategy to ensure Indonesia continues to contribute the largest contingent of troops, given that among the approximately five troop-contributing nations, Indonesia currently provides one of the largest contributions.