JAKARTA: Indonesian troops prepared for deployment to Gaza as part of a planned International Stabilization Force (ISF) will remain under Jakarta's command, avoid combat and will be withdrawn if the mission deviates, authorities said on Saturday (Feb 14).
In a written statement, the Foreign Ministry said Indonesia’s participation would remain under national command and be carried out in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, international law, and the country’s non-aligned foreign policy.
"Indonesian personnel will not be involved in combat operations or any actions leading to direct confrontation with any armed parties,” the ministry said.
Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel would be assigned only to humanitarian and stabilization duties, including civilian protection, medical assistance, reconstruction support, and training for Palestinian police forces.
The government added that force may be used only for self-defence or to maintain the mission mandate and only as a last resort. Jakarta also stressed that any deployment would require the consent of the Palestinian Authority and reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Indonesia said it would withdraw its troops if the mission deviates from national operational conditions, while pledging to oppose any forced displacement or demographic changes affecting Palestinians.
The proposed deployment comes amid international discussions on post-conflict security arrangements in Gaza.
Earlier this week Osama Hamdan, an official from the Palestinian militant group Hamas, said the group rejects foreign guardianship over the territory and expects any international force to remain neutral and limited in scope.
Indonesian Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak said the country could send between 5,000 and 8,000 personnel, though negotiations are ongoing and no final decision has been made. Preparations, including training, have begun but a deployment timeline has not been confirmed.
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country and a long-time supporter of Palestinian statehood, is among the largest contributors to United Nations peacekeeping missions from South-East Asia. - dpa
