Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) is screening troops for a possible peacekeeping deployment to Gaza, with the process ongoing as Indonesia awaits a final UN Security Council mandate and a political decision from the government.

“The selection process remains at each service level as part of planning while we wait for a final mandate from the U.N. Security Council and the government,” TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Freddy Ardianzah said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He said the vetting includes multiple stages, including reviewing soldiers’ past experience in humanitarian operations both at home and abroad.

Once each military branch finishes its assessments, TNI headquarters will receive the proposed list of troops eligible for deployment.

“No list has been submitted to TNI headquarters. We are still recording the readiness of units across the three services according to procedures for overseas missions,” he said.

Ardianzah earlier said the TNI is preparing medical and engineering equipment that would accompany a deployment to Gaza.

The equipment would be sent alongside up to 20,000 personnel from medical units and engineering battalions.

“These include field hospitals, emergency medical kits, ambulances, clean water and sanitation systems, and engineering capabilities such as heavy machinery and reconstruction tools,” Ardianzah said.

He said the medical equipment would allow troops to provide health services for civilians affected by the conflict.

Engineering units, he added, would use construction gear to build public facilities needed by local residents.

Ardianzah said the 20,000 personnel Indonesia is preparing will already have extensive experience in peacekeeping missions and will undergo additional training to finalize readiness for Gaza.

TNI is still awaiting formal approval from the government and the United Nations before any deployment can proceed.

Ardianzah said the 20,000 personnel Indonesia is preparing will already have extensive experience in peacekeeping missions and will undergo additional training to finalize readiness for Gaza.

The personnel selected are also fully competent and experienced in humanitarian operations.

“These personnel come from units that regularly undergo UN and humanitarian mission training, giving them strong basic capabilities, interoperability, logistical readiness and the ability to operate in diverse environments,” he said.

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