The government has signaled its readiness to deploy peacekeeping troops to Gaza following the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) adoption of a resolution authorizing the formation of an International Security Force (ISF) for the conflict-stricken territory.

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said the Indonesian Military (TNI) has prepared its units for deployment, pending a final political decision from President Prabowo Subianto.

“TNI has prepared its units for peacekeeping duties under the United Nations. But we are still waiting for the government’s political decision,” Sjafrie told reporters during a visit to IMIP Airport in Morowali, Central Sulawesi on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

Medical, engineering units

Sjafrie said the TNI has assembled 20,000 personnel for the mission, consisting primarily of medical units and engineering battalions specializing in construction. Indonesia has also prepared supporting equipment, including medical facilities and construction machinery, to reinforce ground operations in Gaza.

The large scale preparation marks one of Indonesia’s most extensive potential peacekeeping deployments to date. Indonesia has long been one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions and has repeatedly expressed readiness to take part in stabilizing Gaza.

The UNSC on Monday, November 17, 2025 adopted a U.S.-sponsored resolution establishing the ISF, which will operate in coordination with Israel and Egypt under an initial two-year mandate.

The force is tasked with securing Gaza’s borders, protecting civilians, enabling humanitarian aid distribution, retraining Palestinian police forces, and overseeing the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups.

Thirteen of the 15 Security Council members voted in favor, while Russia and China abstained. The mandate is expected to open the door for troop contributions from countries with robust peacekeeping experience, including Indonesia.

Mission funding

Questions about state funding for the mission have surfaced online, prompting clarification from defense officials and experts.

Chappy Hakim, a senior figure familiar with Indonesia’s peacekeeping operations underscored that UN missions do not draw from State Budget (APBN).

“That is under the UN. Indonesia has been part of UN peacekeeping forces since the 1960s,” Chappy told Indonesia Business Post on Thursday, November 20, 2025, noting that funding, logistics, and operational coordination are provided through UN mechanisms.

“There is no connection with the APBN,” he cited.

Chappy urged the public not to be misled by disinformation suggesting that Indonesia would bear the mission’s financial burden.

Despite UN approval and TNI’s readiness, deployment cannot proceed without authorization from the President. The government has yet to announce when a decision will be made.

If approved, Indonesia’s participation would reinforce its long standing diplomatic position supporting Palestinian statehood and humanitarian protection in Gaza, an issue that has consistently shaped Indonesia’s foreign policy.