February 21, 2026 | 08:35 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Foreign Minister Sugiono claims that the authorities in the Gaza Strip understand Indonesia's reasons for participating in the International Stabilization Force (ISF). The ISF, a multi-national force led by the United States, will deploy at least 20,000 troops to the Gaza Strip.
According to Sugiono, Indonesia's involvement has been acknowledged by the Chair of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), Ali Shaath. Sugiono stated that Ali was present at the Board of Peace meeting announcing the ISF mission in the Palestinian territory. "Palestine was already there (at the BoP meeting), they know, they understand," Sugiono said in a virtual press statement on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Sugiono assessed Shaath's presence as an indication that all relevant parties have been involved in the peace mission to the Gaza Strip. He also mentioned that Indonesia has communicated that its troops will not participate in the disarmament or demilitarization of armed groups in the Gaza Strip.
Sugiono stated that the ISF troops will ensure a stable ceasefire between all parties in Israel and Palestine. "Create a safe and stable environment, then the next steps can be taken," he said.
According to Sugiono, Indonesian troops are likely to be stationed in Rafah, the southernmost area of the Gaza Strip bordering Egypt. However, he said that the ISF will discuss the details of the peace mission further.
Indonesia has committed to sending 8,000 troops to the Gaza Strip, more than any other country involved in the ISF. It is estimated that the total combined forces for the mission in the Gaza Strip will reach around 20,000 troops.
The plan to deploy the ISF combined forces to the Gaza Strip was previously announced at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace. The conference took place in Washington DC, and was attended by the leaders of member countries, including President Prabowo Subianto. The meeting was also attended by the Chair of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), Ali Shaath.
Nickolay Mladenov, the Director-General of the Board of Peace, stated that the reconstruction of Gaza depends on disarmament. "There is no other option except the full demilitarization and decommissioning of all weapons in Gaza for reconstruction to begin and for people to have a new way of life going forward," Mladenov said.
Hamas, an armed group in the Gaza Strip, stated that the Palestinian movement will not surrender its weapons or accept foreign intervention in Gaza. They reject the demands of the U.S. and Israel.
"Criminalizing the resistance, its weapons, and those who carried it out is something we should not accept," said Khaled Meshaal, a senior leader of Hamas, at a conference in Doha, quoted from Al Arabiya, on Monday, February 9, 2026.
Dewi Rina Cahyani and Sita Planasari contributed to this article
Read: Foreign Minister Reveals Why Indonesia Serves as Deputy Commander of Gaza ISF
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