Government Opens Option for 8,000 Peacekeepers to Gaza via Board of Peace

JAKARTA - The government is open to sending Indonesian peacekeepers to Gaza in the range of 8,000 personnel. However, the location of placement, technical scheme, and payment schedule are still not final.

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi emphasized that everything was still being discussed ahead of the first Board of Peace Summit on February 19.

"Not yet, it is being discussed, but it is possible that we will be around 8 thousand," said Prasetyo at Gambir Station, Jakarta, Tuesday, February 10.

Regarding the location, the Minister of Home Affairs said there was information regarding Rafah, but it had not been decided. The government, he said, is preparing itself if there is an agreement on the shipment.

Previously, Deputy Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) General Tandto Budi Revita at the DPR building stated that the TNI was ready to send any number of soldiers requested, because the process was still being negotiated and the decision on the number was said to be taken in the last week of February to be signed by the President.

Tandyo also emphasized that the chosen ones were experienced units, especially those who had served in the UNIFIL mission.

"It's not units that have never been there," he said.

Prasetyo said Indonesia's participation in the Board of Peace with seven other Muslim countries was a commitment to help Palestine and encourage the entry of aid so that the escalation would go down. But when asked about the dues, his answer was brief. "Not yet."

He emphasized that state affairs "have procedures, there are stages," he said.

Regarding the February 19 Summit, Prasetyo said President Prabowo Subianto was "invited", but his presence had not been confirmed. When asked whether the forum discussed American tariffs, he said the forum was different.

"If the time is right," said Mensesneg.