Indonesia Becomes Deputy Commander of ISF in Gaza, Legislator Warns that Sending Troops Must Be Discussed First with the DPR

Gaza condition/DOK UNICEF/Omar Al-Qattaa

JAKARTA - Member of Commission I of the DPR Syamsu Rizal responded to the appointment of Indonesia as Deputy Commander of the International Stabilization Force or Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza. Rizal reminded that the dispatch of the troops must first be discussed with Commission I of the DPR.

Syamsu Rizal emphasized that sending troops to Gaza was not a trivial matter, because the area was an active conflict area that was very dangerous for the safety of TNI soldiers.

"The delivery of troops to Gaza requires special readiness, both in terms of strategy, equipment, and risk mitigation. The potential for friction with resistance forces in Gaza is very large and cannot be taken lightly," said Syamsu Rizal, Friday, February 20.

For information, this force is a combination of member countries of the Gaza Peace Council (Board of Peace/BoP). The Indonesian government is also rumored to be planning to send as many as 8,000 TNI personnel to the Gaza region as part of the mission.

Syamsu Rizal emphasized that such a big decision must go through a thorough and transparent discussion. Therefore, he said, Commission I of the DPR needs to hold a special meeting with the Ministry of Defense to discuss in detail the plan to send troops.

"This meeting is important so that the public knows clearly the purpose, mandate, rules of engagement, and protection scheme for our soldiers. Don't let there be strategic decisions that are minimally explained to the people," he said.

The member of the commission for foreign relations and defense also highlighted the statement of the ISF Commander, Major General Jasper Jeffers, who said that the ISF would be deployed to five sectors, with each sector placed in one brigade.

In the short term, the forces will be focused on the Rafah sector in conjunction with the implementation of police training. In the long term, the ISF targets the formation of 12,000 police personnel and 20,000 ISF soldiers.

According to Syamsu Rizal, the plan raises serious questions regarding the sovereignty of the people of Gaza. "If you look at the plan, the ISF will really control and control Gaza. The question is, where is the sovereignty of the people of Gaza? Is this not a new form of colonization?" he explained.

Rizal emphasized that the main source of conflict and destruction in Gaza is Israel's aggression, which is still ongoing. He said, the ISF should ensure that Israel no longer attacks and occupies Gaza and Palestine as a whole.

"The mandate of the stabilization force is to maintain peace, not to take control of the territory. Let the people of Gaza govern their own territory," he concluded.