Indonesia Sets Four National Limits for ISF Mission in Gaza

February 23, 2026 | 05:08 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has outlined four national caveats set by Indonesia for its involvement in the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in the Gaza Strip. These limitations are stipulated as a requirement for Indonesia's participation in the mission.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang stated that the government had established clear guidelines for this participation from the outset. Yvonne emphasized that Indonesia had set strict national caveats from the beginning.

"First, Indonesia's participation is non-combatant and non-demilitarized, and does not involve disarmament," said Yvonne to Tempo, on Monday, February 23, 2026.

Secondly, Indonesia will not engage in confrontation with any party. Third, the assignment of Indonesian personnel is confined to the Gaza region and requires approval from the Palestinian authorities.

Fourth, the use of force is only permissible for self-defense and to uphold the mandate. Such use must be proportional, gradual, a last resort, and in accordance with international law and the Rules of Engagement.

Yvonne revealed that Indonesia's focus within the ISF is to protect civilians, provide humanitarian and medical assistance, reconstruction, and strengthen the capacity of Palestinian civil authorities through training for the Palestinian civil police.

University of Indonesia's Professor of International Law, Hikmahanto Juwana, questioned the effectiveness of the national caveats mentioned by the government regarding Indonesia's involvement in the mission in Gaza. According to him, the issue is whether these national limitations will indeed be considered and used as the basis for deploying Indonesian forces. "Will these national caveats be considered and used as a basis for deploying our forces or not?" said Hikmahanto when contacted on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

He concluded that, once a country donates troops, operational control could fall to the mission commander. He said that in such a situation, the command may state that national caveats are an internal matter of the sending country while troop movement decisions remain under the control of the mission command.

Hikmahanto also cautioned the government to be careful about Indonesia's appointment as Deputy Commander. He believed that this position could be a strategy to ensure that Indonesia continues to contribute the largest number of troops, considering that Indonesia currently has the largest contribution among approximately five contributing countries.

Read: Palestine Acknowledges Indonesian Troops' Role in Gaza, Says Minister

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