Indonesia Considers US-led Gaza Force,Raising Legal Concerns
Jakarta - Indonesia is reassessing its planned peacekeeping mission to Gaza,now considering deploying troops under a United states-led stabilization force instead of awaiting a United Nations mandate. Teh potential shift, revealed Friday by Defense Minister sjafrie Samsoeddin, introduces significant legal complexities and departs from prior government stipulations.
President Prabowo Subianto pledged to dispatch approximately 20,000 personnel to Gaza following a ceasefire brokered in October, initially emphasizing deployment only under UN authority. Though, the evolving situation and potential roadblocks within the UN Security Council are prompting Jakarta to explore alternatives, specifically a force coordinated by the US. This move risks violating international law, as deployments without a UN mandate lack the established legal framework for peacekeeping operations.
The US-coordinated International stabilization Force (ISF) – a key component of President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan – aims to prevent renewed conflict between Israel and Hamas, safeguard humanitarian aid, and bolster a transitional government. While details remain limited, the ISF’s structure and legal basis are contentious, lacking broad international consensus.
Securing a UN mandate requires unanimous agreement from the Security Council’s five permanent members – the US, UK, France, Russia, and China – a challenging prospect given existing geopolitical tensions. The UNSC is scheduled to vote on Trump’s peace plan Monday, but Russia has also submitted a competing resolution. A veto from any permanent member would effectively halt a UN-authorized mission, perhaps paving the way for the US-led force despite international legal concerns.
