Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finalises Technical Arrangements for Troop Deployment to Gaza
Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) has stated that the deployment of thousands of Indonesian personnel to the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for the Gaza Strip, Palestine, will be conducted in phases. To date, the deployment plans remain pending finalisation.
“There will certainly be phases to this, but this still needs to be confirmed in detail because it is not possible to deploy that many personnel at one time,” said Indonesian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang, quoted by Antara on Friday 27 February.
She explained that phased deployment is standard practice in peacekeeping operations and will similarly apply to Indonesian personnel assigned to the ISF.
According to Yvonne, the technical aspects of troop deployment to Gaza are being refined by Kemlu together with relevant parties, including the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) and the Defence Ministry (Kemhan). The discussions encompass mandate limitations (caveats) in assignments, with emphasis on non-combat missions and not for demilitarisation.
Yvonne stressed that Kemlu is actively involved with Kemhan throughout the entire planning process for Indonesia’s troop deployment for the humanitarian mission in Gaza.
“Everything will have its phases and technical arrangements will also be designed together with our colleagues at Kemhan; the process of appointing the ISF Deputy Commander is still underway,” she said.
Previously, at the Peace Board (BoP) Summit in Washington on 19 February, President Prabowo Subianto affirmed Indonesia’s readiness to send at least 8,000 personnel to participate in the peace mission in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Asharq Al-Awsat news portal reported that the first ISF contingent would likely be sent to Gaza in early April, quoting American mediator Bishara Bahbah in negotiations with Hamas. Bahbah stated that Indonesian forces would be deployed in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, whilst units from other nations would be responsible for other areas.
“As far as I understand, the first contingent as part of this force will enter Gaza in early April, and a larger contingent will be deployed the following month,” he said on Thursday 26 February.
Members of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission I have emphasised that the TNI deployment to Gaza is a humanitarian mission under UN mandate, not Indonesian involvement in armed conflict. Indonesia will serve as Deputy Commander of the International Stabilisation Force in Palestine.