Indonesia Prepares 20,000 Personnel for Potential UN-Mandated Gaza Mission
Jakarta: Indonesia has completed preparations for deploying up to twenty thousand military personnel for a potential peacekeeping and humanitarian mission in Gaza, pending approval from the United Nations. Senior officials confirmed that the force will prioritise medical assistance, reconstruction and civilian protection rather than combat operations.
Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto first signalled Indonesia’s readiness at the United Nations earlier this year, stating that the country is prepared to contribute “its sons and daughters” in support of international peace efforts in Gaza. The Ministry of Defence has since issued instructions for a nationwide selection and training process within the armed forces.
According to military officials, the prepared personnel include units experienced in non-combat operations such as disaster response, engineering, logistics and medical services. The mission framework is expected to cover the establishment of field hospitals, emergency medical transport, water and sanitation systems and the rebuilding of damaged public infrastructure.
Major General Freddy Ardianzah stated that the selected units are “competent and experienced” in humanitarian operations and previous UN peacekeeping deployments. He emphasised that Indonesia’s role will focus on stabilisation and reconstruction in areas affected by prolonged conflict.
Deployment remains contingent on international authorisation. Indonesian officials have reiterated that troops will only be sent under a recognised UN peacekeeping mandate with clearly defined rules of engagement. Discussions on a Security Council resolution have been ongoing, with several states proposing a multinational stabilisation force.
Indonesia has long supported Palestine in regional and international forums. A formal deployment to Gaza would represent one of the country’s largest overseas peacekeeping contributions in recent years.
