Lesperssi Reveals Impact of TNI Troop Deployment to Gaza
Researcher from the Indonesian Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (Lesperssi), Beni Sukadis, has assessed that many aspects of the planned involvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza, Palestine, remain unclear.
"There are several matters which, in my view, give rise to ambiguity and controversy," Beni said in a written statement on Monday, 16 February 2026.
TNI Headquarters has agreed to deploy at least 8,000 troops to join the ISF in Gaza, Palestine. The force was designed by the United States and endorsed as United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 on 17 November 2025.
Beni outlined at least three matters that remain questionable regarding the decision. The three points are the rules of engagement (ROE), the scope of the peacekeeping mandate, and accountability together with an exit strategy from operational involvement.
He explained that the lack of clarity on these three matters has the potential to obscure the objectives of the peacekeeping deployment to Gaza, whilst simultaneously placing Indonesian soldiers in danger. On the ROE aspect, for instance, vague or overly permissive boundaries regarding the peacekeeping mission and the protection of civilians could trigger an expansion of the mission, known as mission creep.
Under such conditions, troops are vulnerable to being drawn into offensive operations that exceed the political mandate. Conversely, ROE that are too restrictive would also render the troops ineffective when civilian lives are under threat.
"For the sake of domestic public acceptance and the protection of troops on the ground, Jakarta requires a transparent statement regarding what operations soldiers may and may not undertake," he said.
Furthermore, before deploying TNI troops, Beni advised that the government must ensure the scope of the ISF's operational mandate has been elaborated in detail and with clarity. According to him, if the mandate involves the disarmament of armed groups in the Gaza Strip, then Indonesia should exercise restraint.
He stated that any disarmament operation involving non-state actors has the potential to provoke confrontation with local armed groups, including Hamas and various other factions. It is under such conditions that asymmetric combat drawing in stabilisation forces becomes unavoidable.
"Moreover, operations perceived as siding with a particular faction could undermine the principle of impartiality, which is key to the success of any peacekeeping mission," he said.
Finally, Beni cautioned that political accountability and an exit strategy for the troops must be established before Indonesia joins. A mandate that is not clearly delimited, Beni said, would trap Indonesia in a prolonged commitment, increasing casualties and ever-growing political costs.
"Contributing nations are entitled to receive a transparent explanation regarding the mission's objectives, measurable benchmarks for success, and an explicit troop withdrawal mechanism should the operational situation deteriorate or political calculations change," he said.
"There are several matters which, in my view, give rise to ambiguity and controversy," Beni said in a written statement on Monday, 16 February 2026.
TNI Headquarters has agreed to deploy at least 8,000 troops to join the ISF in Gaza, Palestine. The force was designed by the United States and endorsed as United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 on 17 November 2025.
Beni outlined at least three matters that remain questionable regarding the decision. The three points are the rules of engagement (ROE), the scope of the peacekeeping mandate, and accountability together with an exit strategy from operational involvement.
He explained that the lack of clarity on these three matters has the potential to obscure the objectives of the peacekeeping deployment to Gaza, whilst simultaneously placing Indonesian soldiers in danger. On the ROE aspect, for instance, vague or overly permissive boundaries regarding the peacekeeping mission and the protection of civilians could trigger an expansion of the mission, known as mission creep.
Under such conditions, troops are vulnerable to being drawn into offensive operations that exceed the political mandate. Conversely, ROE that are too restrictive would also render the troops ineffective when civilian lives are under threat.
"For the sake of domestic public acceptance and the protection of troops on the ground, Jakarta requires a transparent statement regarding what operations soldiers may and may not undertake," he said.
Furthermore, before deploying TNI troops, Beni advised that the government must ensure the scope of the ISF's operational mandate has been elaborated in detail and with clarity. According to him, if the mandate involves the disarmament of armed groups in the Gaza Strip, then Indonesia should exercise restraint.
He stated that any disarmament operation involving non-state actors has the potential to provoke confrontation with local armed groups, including Hamas and various other factions. It is under such conditions that asymmetric combat drawing in stabilisation forces becomes unavoidable.
"Moreover, operations perceived as siding with a particular faction could undermine the principle of impartiality, which is key to the success of any peacekeeping mission," he said.
Finally, Beni cautioned that political accountability and an exit strategy for the troops must be established before Indonesia joins. A mandate that is not clearly delimited, Beni said, would trap Indonesia in a prolonged commitment, increasing casualties and ever-growing political costs.
"Contributing nations are entitled to receive a transparent explanation regarding the mission's objectives, measurable benchmarks for success, and an explicit troop withdrawal mechanism should the operational situation deteriorate or political calculations change," he said.