Indonesian Army Ready to Deploy Four Battalions & Two Hospital Ships to Gaza if Mandated by UN

The Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, General Agus Subiyanto. (Photo: tni.mil.id)

The Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), General Agus Subiyanto, announced the preparation of a brigade consisting of four battalions for a peacekeeping mission in Gaza, Palestine, should the United Nations (UN) grant the mandate.

The brigade will include a Support Battalion, a Health Battalion, an Engineering Battalion, and a Logistics Battalion, comprising a total of 1,212 personnel.

"We will form a Composite Brigade consisting of the Support Battalion, the Engineering Battalion, the Health Battalion, and the Logistics Battalion," Agus stated after attending a working meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Thursday (6/6/2024),  quoted by Antara.

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Agus elaborated that the Health Battalion will provide medical care as it is equipped with doctors. The Engineering Battalion will be responsible for construction activities, and the Logistics Battalion will manage public kitchens.

The Support Battalion will ensure the security of personnel deployed in Gaza. "We need to secure our troops who are assisting," he added, emphasizing the necessity of security forces due to ongoing conflicts in the area.

In addition to the battalions, TNI is also preparing two hospital ships, KRI Rajiman and KRI Suharso, to support the peacekeeping mission.

These ships are equipped to provide medical care to conflict-affected civilians. "They can treat patients onboard and have emergency units capable of conducting first-class operations, x-ray facilities, and emergency rooms," Agus explained.

Deputy Minister of Defense Muhammad Herindra highlighted that the deployment is contingent on receiving the UN mandate. Additionally, the mission includes plans for evacuating civilian casualties. 

"We will send a field hospital and can evacuate civilian victims from Gaza to Indonesia," Herindra stated.

Indonesia's Air Force C 130J Hercules deployed human assistance over the Palestinian airspace, Gaza, Tuesday (9/4/2024). (Photo: tni.mil.id)

Meanwhile, Indonesia President, Joko Widodo, has instructed Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto to deploy medical personnel and establish field hospitals in Gaza, Palestine.

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who is also the President-elect of Indonesia for 2024-2029, conveyed this directive after meeting with President Jokowi at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (6/6/2024).

"I reported to the President, and he fully supports the initiative, instructing me to prepare hospitals and send our medical personnel to Gaza," Prabowo stated during a press briefing at the Presidential Palace.

Prabowo explained that the deployment of medical personnel and the establishment of field hospitals in Gaza will be conducted in collaboration with Middle Eastern countries that are partners of the Indonesian government, including the United Arab Emirates.

"The United Arab Emirates has already been operating a hospital in Gaza, Palestine, so Indonesia can collaborate on evacuation and medical treatment for local residents," Prabowo detailed.

Furthermore, President Jokowi has mandated Prabowo to attend a summit in Jordan to discuss the current situation in Gaza. Jokowi also requested Prabowo to visit Saudi Arabia during his trip to Jordan.