TNI Soldiers Killed in Lebanon, DPR Reminds Prabowo of Option to Exit BoP
Member of DPR Commission I, TB Hasanuddin, has reminded the government of President Prabowo Subianto of the option to exit the Board of Peace (BoP), established by US President Donald Trump, following an incident in which three TNI soldiers attached to the UN peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) were killed in Lebanon.
The three TNI soldiers in UNIFIL are believed to have died due to an Israeli attack on the area around their post and convoy in Lebanon. In addition to the three soldiers killed, other TNI personnel sustained injuries.
Hasanuddin expressed pessimism regarding Israel’s stance, which appears to disregard UN resolutions. He also voiced concerns that the incident in Lebanon could repeat under the BoP.
“So I imagine what it would be like under the BoP led by US President Donald Trump. It would be a waste if we remain in the BoP territory like that,” Hasanuddin said at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Wednesday (1/4).
Therefore, according to him, the option to exit the BoP must be thoroughly considered. Hasanuddin assessed that the incident resulting in the deaths of the three TNI soldiers, allegedly caused by Israel, renders the BoP futile.
“So in my opinion, it should be considered repeatedly what the benefits are of being in the BoP and the possibilities of undesired events occurring,” he stated.
“Not to mention under the BoP, they act as they please. Even now under the UN, they are already non-compliant. Rather than us getting into trouble later,” Hasanuddin added.
Following the attack that killed Private Farizal Romadhon on Sunday (29/3), the next day, two more TNI soldiers were confirmed dead due to escalating combat intensity in Lebanon.
Thus, a total of three TNI soldiers have been killed as a result of Zionist Israeli actions.
In addition to the three fatalities, other TNI soldiers suffered minor and serious injuries and are receiving medical treatment in Lebanon.
Head of Information at the Ministry of Defence’s General Secretariat, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, explained that in the incident, two TNI soldiers were reported killed, while two others sustained serious injuries.
After Israel collaborated with the US under Trump’s command to strike Iran and kill its leader, Indonesia has so far remained in the BoP. Nevertheless, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry recently stated that regarding the attack on Iran, all discussions within the BoP have been suspended (on hold).
Prabowo and his team have repeatedly stated that they are open to the option of exiting the BoP if it no longer aligns, particularly concerning Palestinian independence.
Some time ago, after separately inviting former foreign ministers, previous presidents, and Islamic organisation leaders to the palace, Prabowo explained the reasons for joining and staying in the BoP. He stated that Indonesia’s presence in the BoP is solely to support Palestinian independence through a two-state solution.
“If we are in it (BoP), we can still influence and work towards a long-term solution, which we believe is an independent Palestine, a two-state solution,” Prabowo said during the ‘President Prabowo Answers’ event at his residence in Bogor Regency, West Java, on Thursday (19/3).
Additionally, Prabowo emphasised that the planned deployment of Indonesian peacekeeping troops to Gaza, Palestine, is not intended to disarm Hamas. He described the mission as focused on protecting civilians amid the conflict.
However, Prabowo revealed that the planned deployment is currently suspended or on hold due to the war between the United States-Israel and Iran.
“I am carrying out the Indonesian nation’s struggle from the past. We have always defended Palestinian independence. I always say, in my discussions with Western figures, we will join (Board of Peace/BoP) and we are ready to send peacekeeping troops, as long as I say all parties agree to Indonesia’s involvement,” Prabowo stated.