Jakarta: Indonesia has readied 20,000 personnel for a possible mission to the Gaza Strip, stated Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. The force, which includes medical teams and engineers, could be deployed soon, contingent upon international backing.
According to Anadolu Agency, the state-run news agency, Indonesia has two potential pathways to secure approval for the deployment. The first option involves operating under the auspices of the United Nations. The second possibility would require the endorsement of an international organization spearheaded by the President of the United States. This approach would necessitate high-level diplomatic engagements and agreements between heads of state.
Sjafrie emphasized the importance of approval from key Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. He noted that Israel’s consent is crucial for the plan to proceed. The context for these discussions is the 20-point plan by US President Donald Trump to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. A phased ceasefire, initiated on October 10, includes steps like the release of hostages and a partial Israeli withdrawal, alongside plans for Gaza’s reconstruction and governance restructuring.
Despite these efforts, daily ceasefire violations by Israel have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties. Since October 2023, over 69,000 individuals, predominantly women and children, have died, and more than 170,000 have been injured due to Israeli attacks, rendering the enclave uninhabitable.
The announcement coincides with the visit of Jordanian King Abdullah II to Jakarta, where he met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Indonesia and Jordan agreed to share intelligence regarding the situation in Gaza, a move that Sjafrie believes is strategically valuable given Jordan’s proximity to the region. Following a meeting with Armed Forces chief Yousef Ahmed Al-Hunaiti, Sjafrie stated that they would establish a committee for intelligence exchange to enhance situational awareness.
Furthermore, Indonesia and Jordan plan to collaborate on developing drone technology, involving a partnership between Indonesia’s PT Pindad and Jordan’s Deep Element. This initiative is part of a broader military agreement aimed at strengthening defense technology capabilities.