Indonesia to send Gaza peacekeepers in phases, foreign ministry says

Indonesia will deploy thousands of peacekeepers to Gaza in phases as part of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), with final operational details still being prepared, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said on Friday.

Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said the phased deployment of Indonesian personnel to the ISF was standard practice, as such large troop movements could not be carried out at once.

“Deployment will be conducted in stages, and technical details are still being finalized,” Mewengkang told reporters after a media briefing in Jakarta, adding coordination was underway with the Indonesian Armed Forces and the Defense Ministry.

She said planning includes defining operational limits, stressing that Indonesian troops will carry out strictly non-combat humanitarian missions and will not be involved in demilitarization tasks.

Mewengkang said the ministry is working closely with the Defense Ministry on logistics, command arrangements, and the appointment of a deputy commander for the ISF, which remains under discussion.

At a Board of Peace summit in Washington on Feb. 19, President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesia was ready to deploy at least 8,000 personnel to support peace efforts in Gaza.

Separately, Asharq Al-Awsat reported the first ISF contingent could arrive in Gaza in early April, citing U.S. mediator Bishara Bahbah, who said Indonesian troops would be stationed in southern Gaza, while other units would cover other areas.

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Translator: Nabil Ihsan, Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak