Indonesia preparing to deploy up to 8,000 soldiers to Gaza

[Twiglets1]

Indonesia says it is preparing up to 8,000 soldiers for deployment to Gaza, the first country to do so as part of phase two of the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States late last year.

The army chief of staff, General Maruli Simanjuntak, said training for the soldiers had already begun, and that they would focus on medical and engineering roles in Gaza.

Indonesia has joined President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, which was announced last month.

The timing of the Indonesian troop deployment and their exact role in Gaza have not yet been finalised, but it appears that President Prabowo Subianto has decided they will go.

His decision to join Trump's Board of Peace has been criticised by some Islamic groups in Indonesia, where there has been widespread public anger over the US role in Israel's bombardment of Gaza.

However, Prabowo has argued that, as the world's largest Muslim nation, Indonesia should help to stabilise Gaza, and has said that its involvement would be in pursuit of an eventual two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel's public broadcaster Kan reported that an area in southern Gaza, between Rafah and Khan Younis, had already been designated for use by the Indonesian army to build a barracks for several thousand troops.

Other Muslim countries like Turkey and Pakistan are also considering sending their troops, but have made it clear they would be peacekeepers only, and would not get involved in the planned disarmament of Hamas.

But with Hamas refusing to lay down its arms while Israel continues to occupy parts of Gaza, there is not yet a real peace for the proposed international force to keep.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgjwpx9j2do

Same story run by The Jerusalem Post, who say the report originated in KAN News (Israeli public broadcaster).

According to the report, it is likely that soon after Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attends US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace summit in Washington on February 19, Indonesian forces will be deployed in Gaza.

Neither the ISF in general nor Indonesia in particular is expected to seek direct confrontation with Hamas or proactively disarm the terrorist organization.

Rather, they are expected to oversee current ceasefire lines and, if necessary, address other border-related issues.

For example, Indonesian soldiers are expected to supervise some of the defense lines in the Khan Yunis and Rafah areas of southern Gaza.

The coming weeks will still require resolving complex issues, such as the rules of engagement, should Hamas make contact with the Indonesian chapter of the ISF. There are also questions about how many Indonesians will join, with expectations of thousands, if not more.

Moreover, it remains to be seen which countries will follow Indonesia’s example and when.

Finally, if Hamas has not started a serious disarmament process by early May – around the Trump administration’s 100-day deadline – it is unclear whether the ISF would continue or whether Israel might return to major ground operations in Gaza.

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-886141

My feeling on this is well done Indonesia putting your money where your mouth is and doing something concrete to help. I hope every single one of those people have a safe and productive deployment.

I agree @dairydebris they are doing something to help and coming from the world's largest Muslim nation, will hopefully attract less criticism than if the forces came from a non predominantly Muslim country.

It's not going to be easy to keep the peace however if Hamas attack the Indonesian troops, and of course they do still have the weapons to do so.

I think a large Muslim military base in Gaza might change things significantly. Indonesians have a reputation of being extremely brave and honourable so their presence brings hope of a more honest and fair resolution.

Better to have Indonesian soldiers who are respected and have integrity over the genocidal IOF.

Time will tell whether the Indonesian soldiers who have integrity and are respected and honourable will be treated the way they should be by Hamas.

Obviously I hope they are and can play a positive role in helping to stabilize Gaza.

Which respected and honourable soldiers with more integrity than the whole of the IDF would you be referring to? The Indonesian army has a long, well documented history of flagrant human rights abuses and alleged war crimes, in addition to their taking part in the East Timor genocide and UN reports of their deliberate policy that included summary executions, rape and home burnings in Banda Aceh.

Still, I suppose as the Indonesian army and government has experience in violently discriminating against and displacing tens of thousands of indigenous and Christian West Papuans in favour of Indonesian Muslim settlers and military occupation after Indonesia annexed West Papua against the will of its people. They're also adept at using drones and airstrikes on civilian areas as well as attacking and killing innocent civilians, including women and children who they claim were insurgents. Sounds eerily familiar, they should feel right at home.

I don't know about this. I think a mixed multinational force should have been introduced if possible. By having a Muslim force here you really are emphasising the religious aspect to this conflict. Are Indonesian troops going to be engaged is disarming Hamas.....If not we could have a really protracted stake mate.

@mids2019 a mixed multinational force might have been the ideal.

But any soldiers not Muslim would have automatically attracted more criticism so in a way I can understand why the EU for example are staying out of it.

The reality is no country wants to get involved in trying to disarm Hamas or to keep the peace where they are active. It's a lot easier to criticise Israel for their ongoing issues against these terrorists than to attempt to solve the problem that is Hamas.

I read an opinion piece this morning where someone apparently in the know said that Hamas operatives are running out of money and some are being forced to sell their weapons now other income streams are running dry. Maybe economic factors will be the catalyst in the end that forces Hamas to agree to demilitarise and leave Gaza, who knows.

The Indonesians are in the process of committing one arguable genocide in West Papua and didn't long finish one in East Timor, so I hope they're going to behave better in Gaza.

You might want to look into that one a bit further.

Wow @TomeTome and @SummerOctopus have you bothered to look into human rights in Indonesia? Or is the starting point always that anyone is better than Israel?

@SharonEllis for me I would say pretty much anyone was better placed to manage things in Gaza than the Israelis. I mean they’ve demonstrated that surely by resorting to bombing and starving and terrorising the population? Do you think that’s admirable?

@SharonEllis who do you want managing things in Gaza? Would you prefer troops from somewhere else and if so where?

So do you think the Israelis should just withdraw all the way back to Israel proper and leave Gaza to Hamas? Do you think Hamas is a better option than Israel?

Not exactly a major que of volunteers to take over admin of Hamas controlled Gaza is there?

You could make that argument without claiming an army engaged in a genocide itself has integrity, though. If you didn't know about the West Papuan situation when you made your initial post, you can just say that. It's not been anywhere near as well publicised as some conflicts, so you'd have plenty of company.

After all, it's possible to acknowledge the very obvious problems with Indonesia whilst also accepting they might be the least worst option available. Especially as there's not a big queue of volunteers.

I don’t think Israel should have any presence at all in Gaza after their behaviour of the last few years do you @dairydebris? And if you do think they should be there what role do you think they should play?

So you'd prefer Hamas in charge rather than Israel?

Yes I'd prefer Israel over Hamas. Not even close. What has Hamas bought for Gaza?

But my first choice would be the PA flawed as it is, or a coalition of moderate Arab states, definitely excluding Iran. Thats not been offered though has it? Because no Arab state apart from Iran wants to get in bed with Hamas.

That leaves Gaza with those willing to take it on with Hamas still there, ie more players who give not one shiny shit about Palestinians but are only seeking to profit themselves. Thats on Hamas for still refusing to disband and disarm.

Now you. You said anyone is better than Israel. Is Hamas better than Israel?

@dairydebris I find it pretty staggering that anyone would think an army that has been accused of war crines and genocidal actions in Gaza and has had a part to play in the deaths of over 20,000 children should have any troops on the ground after a ceasefire and in a phase of rebuilding. How would you expect a Palestinian to trust or cooperate with them? If IDF or the Indonesian army is all Trump's "peace" group can come up with they're not fit for purpose and need to step aside and allow for a broader delegation take over that include people that are working in the interests of both Palestinians and Israelis.

As I said, Israel in charge wouldn't be my first choice. For all the reasons you've given, plus any administration seem to be overly co operating with Israel is going to have a tough time finding credibility and stability with Gazan Palestinians. I said who my first choice would be- ill say it again. The PA or a coalition of moderate Arab states just not Iran.

I only said I'd rather have Israel in charge than Hamas. For obvious reasons.

And I asked the pp to say whether they'd rather have Israel or Hamas in charge. Same to you?

And I asked the pp to say whether they'd rather have Israel or Hamas in charge. Same to you?
You make it sound like that's the only option that we have to choose one or the other but we don't. Neither will bring peace or stability to the area. Rebuilding Gaza both it's buildings and society without any Palestinian involvement is also not going to bring peace and stability. There has been no attempt to bring more moderate Palestinian voices to the table which is a mistake and top down approaches won't work long-term, people of Gaza need to be part of its future and involved at every stage. I've heard critics describe the current plans as urbicide which I don't disagree with.

Israel's behaviour?! Hamas started tgis war. You clearly genuinely expect Israel to just tolerate thousands of its citizens and residents brutally murdered and kidnapped.

Them's the breaks when you lose a war you started.

What an enlightening contribution cheers

I was responding to @TomeTome saying anyone is better than Israel to be in charge of Gaza. My point is that if Israel were to withdraw from Gaza, they would be leaving it to Hamas or perhaps another armed group. Is that better for Gaza? I don't believe it is. If Hamas were to leave Gaza then there might be more takers to help out? Like the UAE proposing to be involved in the Israeli controlled part for example.

I've noted that no one seems able to answer the question of whether its better for Israel to be in charge of Gaza, or Hamas. You dodged the question too. Honestly it just makes it seem like the hatred of Israel, rather than concern for Palestinian future is the more salient driver here.