Indonesia is preparing to send 1,000 soldiers to Gaza within weeks, the first contingent of some 8,000 personnel pledged by Jakarta to the Palestinian territory as part of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) under U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace.
Indonesian army spokesperson Brigadier General Donny Pramono told media the first troops aim to reach the enclave by April, with the majority deployed by June.
As the deployment approaches, some Indonesians are questioning their military's role amid Israel's war on Gaza, with critics warning that without UN oversight, Indonesian forces could become "pawns" for U.S. interests.
Indonesia is an experienced UN peacekeeping contributor, but concerns exist that its troops might be used to control Palestinians and legitimize Israel's occupation.
"We are afraid that Indonesia will be used as a buffer to control the Palestinians," said Shofwan Al Banna Choiruzzad, an associate professor at the University of Indonesia.
Indonesia lacks diplomatic relations with Israel due to its longstanding support for the Palestinian cause.
With the world's largest Muslim population, Indonesia was the first Board of Peace member to commit specific troop numbers to the ISF.
Jakarta officials have stressed the country will play a "balancing" role on the board alongside nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, and Pakistan.
President Prabowo Subianto may face difficult questions about the board's plans for Gaza's reconstruction and the future of its Palestinian population.
The board's executive committee includes Trump, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and others.
Palestinian participation is limited to a "transitional committee" of apolitical technocrats led by former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Shaath.
Prabowo told civil society groups he is prepared to withdraw from the Board of Peace if it "fails to advance the goal of an independent Palestine".
Indonesia's Foreign Ministry has emphasized that its troops will be in Gaza "solely to support Palestine's recovery and its fight for independence and sovereignty".
Source: www.aljazeera.com