Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s military has ruled that its planned peacekeeping force for Gaza must be led by a three-star general, citing the mission’s scale, complexity and need for tight international coordination.
Major General Freddy Ardianzah, head of the TNI Information Office, told ANTARA on Tuesday that the force will consist of three composite brigades — a size that requires a commander with experience running joint operations.
He said three-star officers typically have the operational background needed to coordinate troops from the Army, Navy and Air Force, which will all contribute personnel to the planned deployment.
Ardianzah stressed that the Gaza mission would be a non-combat operation demanding senior leadership. The commander will oversee humanitarian work, reconstruction support, medical aid, and civilian protection.
He added that a three-star general is also better equipped to work closely with the United Nations and other international actors involved in the mission.
The TNI has begun selecting candidates and has shortlisted several three-star officers, though Ardianzah declined to reveal names. The final appointment awaits decisions by both the Indonesian government and the UN.
Preparations follow President Prabowo Subianto’s instruction for the TNI to ready a potential UN-mandated deployment.
He has repeatedly said Indonesia is prepared to send up to 20,000 personnel to Gaza, including during his remarks at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York last September. Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has also confirmed the plan.
On November 24, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto reiterated that the Gaza contingent will be led by a three-star general.
He told lawmakers that the peacekeeping force will consist of three composite brigades, each made up of a medical battalion, a construction engineering battalion, a support battalion and a mechanical support battalion.
An advance team will be deployed first to assess conditions on the ground in Gaza before the larger contingent is sent.
