Government to Decide Soon on Number of Indonesian Peacekeepers for Gaza

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government will soon decide on the number of peacekeepers to be sent to Gaza, Palestine. The decision is targeted to be taken by the end of February 2026 and will be immediately signed by President Prabowo Subianto.

Deputy Minister of Defense (Wamenhan) Donny Ermawan Taufanto said all preparations had been made and the government was currently only waiting for political decisions and departure time.

"The TNI Commander has prepared our soldiers to be deployed at any time. We are just waiting for the order and coordination when we leave. The point is, we are ready," Donny told reporters at the Senayan parliament complex, Jakarta, Tuesday, February 10.

Similarly, Deputy Commander of the TNI, General TNI Tandyo Budi Revita, emphasized that the TNI was ready to send troops according to the needs of the peace mission in Gaza, whatever the number decided by the government.

According to Tandyo, the TNI has long experience in peace missions in the Middle East conflict region, including the deployment of Indonesian troops in Lebanon through the UNIFIL mission since 2008. "We have sent troops there since 2008, to UNIFIL, and many times. These are the personnel we will send," he said.

Tandyo also dismissed concerns about interference with the TNI during their service in Gaza. Experience in conflict areas is considered an important capital, including the ability to communicate with local communities.

"Our troops have experience in terms of the terrain and how to communicate with the community, even though they were previously stationed in the Lebanon region," he added.

The plan to send troops is part of Indonesia's commitment to international peacekeeping missions as well as support for stability and humanitarianism in Palestine.