PDIP Legislator Criticises Deployment of TNI Troops to Gaza
Member of House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I Tubagus Hasanuddin has drawn attention to the policy of deploying TNI soldiers to Gaza, Palestine. Approximately 8,000 TNI troops are set to be dispatched to Gaza towards the end of June 2026.
Hasanuddin argued that the deployment of TNI soldiers as part of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) under the control of the Board of Peace (BoP) carries high risks with minimal returns, both politically and militarily. "This amounts to participation in a United States government experiment — the risks are high and the costs are not insignificant," Hasanuddin said in a written statement on Monday, 16 February 2026.
The legislator from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) faction emphasised the importance of strategic deliberation prior to the deployment, including the ISF's mandate in Gaza. UN Security Council Resolution 2803 defines the ISF's role as supporting the BoP in establishing a ceasefire and demilitarisation.
The problem, he continued, is that the BoP — initiated by US President Donald Trump — now merely displays American dominance with little evidence of collective and collegial decision-making processes.
Hasanuddin expressed concern that TNI soldiers sent to Gaza alongside the ISF may end up performing duties inconsistent with their intended role. Moreover, he noted that the BoP charter does not specifically mention peace in Gaza. "This raises the question of whether the ISF truly represents the interests of contributing nations or is instead serving as an instrument of certain parties in Gaza," said the retired TNI officer.
The deployment of TNI troops to Gaza forms part of Indonesia's decision to join the ISF in November last year. The ISF was designed by the United States and endorsed as UN Security Council Resolution 2803.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a written release that TNI soldiers assigned to Gaza would not be involved in combat operations. The ministry affirmed that TNI troops within the ISF contingent would have a limited and specific scope of duties, in accordance with the mandate and national caveats.
"Indonesia's mandate is humanitarian in nature, focusing on the protection of civilians, humanitarian and health assistance, reconstruction, as well as training and capacity building of Palestinian police," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' written statement said on Saturday, 14 February 2026.
Hasanuddin argued that the deployment of TNI soldiers as part of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) under the control of the Board of Peace (BoP) carries high risks with minimal returns, both politically and militarily. "This amounts to participation in a United States government experiment — the risks are high and the costs are not insignificant," Hasanuddin said in a written statement on Monday, 16 February 2026.
The legislator from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) faction emphasised the importance of strategic deliberation prior to the deployment, including the ISF's mandate in Gaza. UN Security Council Resolution 2803 defines the ISF's role as supporting the BoP in establishing a ceasefire and demilitarisation.
The problem, he continued, is that the BoP — initiated by US President Donald Trump — now merely displays American dominance with little evidence of collective and collegial decision-making processes.
Hasanuddin expressed concern that TNI soldiers sent to Gaza alongside the ISF may end up performing duties inconsistent with their intended role. Moreover, he noted that the BoP charter does not specifically mention peace in Gaza. "This raises the question of whether the ISF truly represents the interests of contributing nations or is instead serving as an instrument of certain parties in Gaza," said the retired TNI officer.
The deployment of TNI troops to Gaza forms part of Indonesia's decision to join the ISF in November last year. The ISF was designed by the United States and endorsed as UN Security Council Resolution 2803.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a written release that TNI soldiers assigned to Gaza would not be involved in combat operations. The ministry affirmed that TNI troops within the ISF contingent would have a limited and specific scope of duties, in accordance with the mandate and national caveats.
"Indonesia's mandate is humanitarian in nature, focusing on the protection of civilians, humanitarian and health assistance, reconstruction, as well as training and capacity building of Palestinian police," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' written statement said on Saturday, 14 February 2026.