PKB: Deployment of TNI Troops to Gaza Must Be Discussed with Parliament
A member of House of Representatives Commission I, Syamsu Rizal, has called on the Defence Ministry to involve parliament in plans to deploy Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) troops to Gaza, Palestine. The National Awakening Party (PKB) politician considers the planned troop deployment a crucial decision requiring further deliberation with lawmakers.
He urged the Defence Ministry to explain the details through a working meeting with Commission I. "A decision of this magnitude must go through thorough and transparent deliberation," Syamsu Rizal said in a written statement on the PKB faction's website on Friday, 20 February 2026.
Syamsu said the troop deployment to Gaza requires special preparedness in terms of strategy, equipment and risk mitigation. He also noted the significant potential for friction between TNI forces and resistance fighters in Gaza, given that it is an active conflict zone that could endanger the safety of soldiers.
Taking this into consideration, Syamsu believes the Defence Ministry must provide a full explanation to parliament as the people's representative. In such a meeting, he wants to understand the objectives, mandate, rules of engagement and protection mechanisms for TNI personnel.
He argued that such an explanation could prevent public confusion over the government's decision to send eight thousand TNI personnel to the Gaza strip. "There must not be strategic decisions made with minimal explanation to the public," Syamsu said.
The plan to deploy eight thousand troops to Gaza was affirmed by President Prabowo Subianto during the inaugural summit of the Board of Peace in Washington D.C., United States, on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
Prabowo made the pledge before approximately 20 leaders of Board of Peace member states, including United States President Donald Trump. "We reaffirm our commitment to contribute a substantial number of troops, up to 8,000 or more if necessary," Prabowo said.
Prabowo said the ceasefire in Gaza had achieved tangible results. Indonesia is therefore prepared to send TNI troops to realise a peaceful solution for the Palestinian issue and in Gaza.
According to Prabowo, TNI soldiers would join peacekeeping forces from various countries for the mission in Gaza. The deployment of thousands of military personnel follows Indonesia's acceptance of a US offer to serve as Deputy Commander of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) initiated by Trump.
The Indonesian Foreign Ministry stated that Indonesia's planned involvement in the International Stabilisation Force has received approval from Palestinian authorities. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahd Nabyl Achmad Mulachela said the Palestinian side was aware of the plan and had approved it as it aligns with the humanitarian mission Indonesia is carrying out.
"This is done with the consent of the Palestinian side. This therefore forms part of the unified framework of Indonesia's involvement in the ISF," Nabyl said at a press conference at the Foreign Ministry office in Central Jakarta on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
Nevertheless, the Indonesian government has yet to announce a departure schedule or technical details, including the operational mandate, duration of assignment, deployment locations and implementation mechanisms on the ground.
Indonesia's involvement in the Board of Peace has drawn criticism. The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), for instance, considers membership in this US-initiated international body a betrayal of the spirit and values of the Indonesian people, who have historically sided with Palestine.
YLBHI highlighted the plan to deploy thousands of Indonesian soldiers to 'assist' the US and Israel in demilitarising Hamas in Palestine. YLBHI emphasised this sets a dangerous precedent against Palestine's rights as a state.
He urged the Defence Ministry to explain the details through a working meeting with Commission I. "A decision of this magnitude must go through thorough and transparent deliberation," Syamsu Rizal said in a written statement on the PKB faction's website on Friday, 20 February 2026.
Syamsu said the troop deployment to Gaza requires special preparedness in terms of strategy, equipment and risk mitigation. He also noted the significant potential for friction between TNI forces and resistance fighters in Gaza, given that it is an active conflict zone that could endanger the safety of soldiers.
Taking this into consideration, Syamsu believes the Defence Ministry must provide a full explanation to parliament as the people's representative. In such a meeting, he wants to understand the objectives, mandate, rules of engagement and protection mechanisms for TNI personnel.
He argued that such an explanation could prevent public confusion over the government's decision to send eight thousand TNI personnel to the Gaza strip. "There must not be strategic decisions made with minimal explanation to the public," Syamsu said.
The plan to deploy eight thousand troops to Gaza was affirmed by President Prabowo Subianto during the inaugural summit of the Board of Peace in Washington D.C., United States, on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
Prabowo made the pledge before approximately 20 leaders of Board of Peace member states, including United States President Donald Trump. "We reaffirm our commitment to contribute a substantial number of troops, up to 8,000 or more if necessary," Prabowo said.
Prabowo said the ceasefire in Gaza had achieved tangible results. Indonesia is therefore prepared to send TNI troops to realise a peaceful solution for the Palestinian issue and in Gaza.
According to Prabowo, TNI soldiers would join peacekeeping forces from various countries for the mission in Gaza. The deployment of thousands of military personnel follows Indonesia's acceptance of a US offer to serve as Deputy Commander of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) initiated by Trump.
The Indonesian Foreign Ministry stated that Indonesia's planned involvement in the International Stabilisation Force has received approval from Palestinian authorities. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahd Nabyl Achmad Mulachela said the Palestinian side was aware of the plan and had approved it as it aligns with the humanitarian mission Indonesia is carrying out.
"This is done with the consent of the Palestinian side. This therefore forms part of the unified framework of Indonesia's involvement in the ISF," Nabyl said at a press conference at the Foreign Ministry office in Central Jakarta on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
Nevertheless, the Indonesian government has yet to announce a departure schedule or technical details, including the operational mandate, duration of assignment, deployment locations and implementation mechanisms on the ground.
Indonesia's involvement in the Board of Peace has drawn criticism. The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), for instance, considers membership in this US-initiated international body a betrayal of the spirit and values of the Indonesian people, who have historically sided with Palestine.
YLBHI highlighted the plan to deploy thousands of Indonesian soldiers to 'assist' the US and Israel in demilitarising Hamas in Palestine. YLBHI emphasised this sets a dangerous precedent against Palestine's rights as a state.