Two Indonesian UN peacekeepers killed in explosion in Lebanon
Two Indonesian UN Peacekeepers Killed in Explosion in Lebanon
Two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed in southern Lebanon on Monday following an explosion that destroyed their vehicle, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) confirmed. A third individual sustained serious injuries, while a fourth was lightly wounded, the statement noted. This incident follows another fatal attack the previous night, where an Indonesian peacekeeper died in Adchit Al Qusayr, southern Lebanon, due to a projectile of unknown origin.
Unifil has begun investigating both explosions to identify their causes. The events occurred amid heightened tensions, as Israel announced plans to intensify attacks on Hezbollah, a militia and political party backed by Iran. Hezbollah has retaliated by firing rockets into Israel, responding to US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
UN’s Stance on Peacekeeper Safety
Unifil expressed heartfelt condolences to the families and colleagues of the peacekeepers who lost their lives. The agency stressed that under international law, all parties must ensure the safety of UN personnel. “Deliberate attacks” on peacekeepers are described as “grave violations” of humanitarian principles, according to the statement.
“The human cost of this conflict is far too high. The violence, as we have said before, must end.” — Unifil
Background on Unifil
Created in 1978 by the UN Security Council, Unifil has operated as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon. The force maintains the “Blue Line,” the de facto border between the two nations, in coordination with the Lebanese army. Over its history, 339 peacekeepers have been killed.
Since the November 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, 1,238 people have been killed in Lebanon, including 124 children, according to the health ministry. Despite the agreement, Israel has continued near-daily strikes on Hezbollah targets, alleging the group has not adhered to its terms.
Recent Attacks on UN Missions
Earlier this month, four Ghanaian soldiers serving with Unifil were injured in an attack on their base. When Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa addressed a Commonwealth meeting on Sunday, he did not name the responsible party but called the incident “an attack on every principle that the UN Charter exists to defend.”