Indonesia Postpones Gaza Peacekeeper Deployment, Reaffirms Commitment to Civilian Protection

Jakarta, Indonesia – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has confirmed the postponement of plans to deploy Indonesian peacekeepers to Gaza, Palestine, citing escalating regional tensions. Despite the delay, President Subianto emphasized Indonesia’s unwavering commitment to providing humanitarian aid and protecting civilians in the conflict zone, and clarified that the mission was never intended to disarm Hamas.

Postponement Due to Regional Instability

The decision to suspend the deployment, initially planned as part of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) with a contingent of 8,000 TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) personnel, comes amid heightened conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. According to President Subianto, the current volatile situation necessitates a pause until greater clarity emerges regarding security stability on the ground.

No Disarmament Mandate

President Subianto firmly stated that Indonesia’s proposed peacekeeping mission was not designed to disarm Hamas. “We do not want to be involved in deweaponizing Hamas. We only plan to protect civilians from any attack,” he said. Indonesia’s focus remains solely on the protection of civilians from attacks by any party involved in the conflict.

Commitment to Humanitarian Aid Continues

While the deployment of troops is on hold, President Subianto assured the public that Indonesia’s humanitarian support for the Palestinian people will continue uninterrupted. The government is committed to maintaining the planned schedule for delivering logistical aid and food supplies to the affected areas.

Conditions for Future Deployment

The Indonesian government’s participation in a peacekeeping force requires the consent of key stakeholders, including Palestinian leaders, Hamas, and Muslim-majority countries within the Board of Peace (BoP). These countries include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, Qatar, and Egypt. Indonesia too maintains a firm national caveat, refusing involvement in any military action against Hamas.

Indonesia’s Long-Standing Support for Palestine

President Subianto reiterated Indonesia’s long-held commitment to Palestinian independence, stating that the nation has consistently advocated for a sovereign Palestinian state in discussions with Western leaders.