August 13, 2025 | 05:27 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia is dispatching the second Garuda Merah Putih Task Force on a humanitarian mission to Gaza, Palestine. The Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), General Agus Subiyanto, said the aid will be transported using two Super Hercules C-130-J aircraft and will be delivered through an airdrop operation at the Aqaba Base in Jordan.
"This mission is a direct order from the President of the Republic of Indonesia, conveyed through the Presidential Communication Office, where Indonesia is playing an active role in supporting the distribution of humanitarian aid through airdrop operations from Aqaba Base in Jordan," said Agus at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant General Tri Budi Utomo, said that the task force will undertake a 12-day mission. The task force consists of 66 personnel, including TNI members, representatives from ministries/agencies, Baznas (National Alms Agency), and national media.
Indonesia will deliver about 800 tons of logistics, including a thousand instant noodle packages from the Ministry of Defense, as well as food, medicines, blankets, and other emergency supplies. Part of the Baznas aid is already stored in Jordan to be combined and flown together into Gaza.
For security reasons, the low-cost low-altitude (LCLA) method is chosen to deliver the aid using disposable parachutes. "This method is said to be safer than others," Tri Budi said.
The humanitarian mission is part of the cooperation with 10 countries, including Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. The Royal Jordanian Air Force has reviewed 10 airdrop points in Gaza considered safe and sterile. "It won't be like what you might see on TV, where someone is hit during the airdrop. They have prepared the airdrop points well," he said.
According to Tri Budi, relevant authorities have also opened a special humanitarian aid corridor from August 1 to 24, 2025. "They have provided space for us to deliver aid," he said.
Tri Budi emphasized that this mission also has symbolic significance as it coincides with the 80th anniversary of Indonesia's independence. "This spirit of independence is manifested by helping the Palestinian people who are struggling for peace and independence," he said.
This airdrop mission is the second conducted by Indonesia after similar efforts last year. The government has not confirmed whether there will be further aid deliveries, but Tri Budi stated that the decision awaits the next order from President Prabowo Subianto.
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