Indonesia Reaffirms Suspension Of Gaza Peacekeeping And Board Of Peace Talks

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed that all discussions regarding the proposed Board of Peace (BoP) and the deployment of peacekeeping troops to Gaza remain suspended.

“We inform that Indonesia’s peacekeeping mission to Gaza is currently postponed, and all discussions related to the Board of Peace are on hold,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nabyl A. Mulachela said on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The statement came in response to reports suggesting that international forces could be deployed to Gaza as early as May. Nabyl stressed that any potential Indonesian participation in the International Stabilization Force (ISF) would be fully under Indonesia’s national authority and based on the mandate of the UN Security Council.

“Participation by Indonesia in the ISF is entirely under our national control, guided by UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025), and aligned with Indonesia’s independent and active foreign policy, national interests, and international law,” he explained.

Earlier reports from Anadolu, citing Israel’s public broadcaster KAN, suggested that Israel was preparing for the deployment of international troops in Gaza, including an estimated 5,000 from Indonesia, alongside smaller contingents from Kazakhstan, Morocco, Albania, and Kosovo. The forces were said to be initially stationed near a new Palestinian city in Rafah, southern Gaza, before expanding operations.

However, Indonesia has consistently maintained its position of caution. On March 6, the Foreign Affairs Ministry announced the suspension of all BoP-related talks following escalating tensions between Iran and the U.S.-Israel alliance in late February.

Spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkan emphasized that Indonesia’s priority remains monitoring developments in the Middle East and ensuring the safety of Indonesian citizens in the region.

“As the Foreign Affairs Minister stated recently, all discussions with the BoP are currently suspended -- on hold,” Yvonne concluded. The latest clarification underscores Indonesia’s careful approach, balancing its commitment to international peace efforts with national sovereignty and regional security considerations. ***