ISF PARTICIPATION IN GAZA UNDER NATIONAL CONTROL, NON-COMBAT – INDONESIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

JAKARTA, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- Indonesia’s potential participation in the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza would remain fully under national control and strictly non-combat, the Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry said any involvement would be based on the mandate of the United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 2803, Indonesia’ Free and Active Foreign Policy as well as international law.

“Indonesia’s participation is not for a combat mission and not for a demilitarisation mission.” 

“Indonesia’s mandate is humanitarian in nature, with a focus on the protection of civilians, humanitarian and health assistance, reconstruction, as well as training and capacity-building of the Palestinian Police,” it said in a statement on Saturday.

The ministry also emphasised that Indonesian personnel would not be positioned against any party and would not be involved in combat operations or actions leading to direct confrontation with any armed group.

It said the use of force is only permitted for self-defence and to defend the mandate, carried out proportionally, gradually, as a last resort, and fully in accordance with international law and the Rules of Engagement.

It further stated that its area of deployment would be specifically confined to the Gaza Strip, which it described as an integral part of the Palestinian territory.

“Deployment can only be carried out with the consent of the Palestinian authority, as a fundamental prerequisite,” it said.

Indonesia also reiterated that its participation “shall not be interpreted as recognition of or normalisation of political relations with any party.”

The ministry said Indonesia would end its participation if the ISF’s implementation deviates from Indonesia’s national caveats or foreign policy.

-- BERNAMA