Indonesia is readying 1000 troops for potential deployment in Gaza by early April as part of a proposed multinational peacekeeping force, its army spokesperson said on Monday.
The final deployment decision will be made by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Spokesperson Donny Pramono said, adding that a total of 8 000 soldiers will be ready for deployment by June.
“The departure schedule remains entirely subject to the political decisions of the state and applicable international mechanisms,” he said in a text message to Reuters.
The comments were made as Prabowo prepares to head to Washington for the first official meeting this week of the Board of Peace, chaired by United States President Donald Trump.
The board’s creation was endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution as part of the Trump administration’s plan to end the war in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.
Indonesia’s foreign ministry on Saturday said its military’s participation in the United Nations mandated International Stabilisation Force in Gaza should not be interpreted as a normalisation of political relations with any party.
Jakarta does not recognise or share any diplomatic relations with Israel.
–Reuters–
