Decision to Send Indonesian Peacekeepers to Gaza Awaits UN Resolution, Mandate

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The decision to send Indonesian peacekeepers to Gaza is still on hold, pending a UN resolution and mandate. However, TNI Commander Gen. Agus Subiyanto said that TNI headquarters had prepared troops with pledges to the UN.

"Indonesia's proposal to participate in world peacekeeping operations in Palestine by sending up to 650 personnel has now entered the level 1 registration process. If the UN mandate to conduct world peacekeeping operations in Palestine is issued, the government will submit the proposal for the next process to the next level or level 2," the former Indonesian Army chief of staff said on June 6, as reported by ANTARA.

The TNI, he added, is also ready to send field hospitals (rumkitlap) and hospital ships, whose departure depends on the government's decision.

President Joko Widodo has instructed Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto to send aid to Gaza. This was said by Prabowo after meeting with Jokowi at the Presidential Palace on June 6 to report on the results of his working visit to Singapore.

"The president is very supportive, he gave me instructions, we are ready to send hospitals, send health workers," the president-elect told reporters after the meeting, adding that Indonesia would work with partner countries, especially Middle Eastern countries that already operate hospitals in Gaza, such as the United Arab Emirates.

Commander Agus said the TNI had also prepared a brigade consisting of four battalions. According to him, the four battalions consist of a support battalion, a health battalion, an engineering battalion, and a supply battalion. According to him, the four battalions will consist of 1,212 personnel.

"We will form a composite brigade there consisting of a support battalion, an engineering battalion, then a health battalion and a supply battalion," Agus said after a meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I in Jakarta, on Thursday.

RIRI RAHAYU | ANTARA

Editor's Choice: Indonesia Ready to Send Peacekeeping Forces to Gaza, Minister Prabowo Subianto Says

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News