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UN confirms fatalities in southern Lebanon explosion
Two Indonesian peacekeepers died on Monday when their vehicle was destroyed by an explosion of unknown origin in southern Lebanon, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) reported. A third peacekeeper sustained severe injuries, while a fourth suffered minor harm.
Second deadly incident in 24 hours
Unifil noted this was the second fatal attack on its personnel within a day. On Sunday night, another Indonesian peacekeeper, identified as Chief Private Farizal Rhomadhon, was killed when a projectile exploded in Adchit Al Qusayr. The source of the blast remains unclear in both cases.
Investigations have been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the incidents, Unifil stated.
Regional tensions escalate amid Israel-Hezbollah conflict
The deaths occurred as the Israeli military announced intensified ground and air operations against Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese armed group. Hezbollah has launched rocket attacks into Israel in response to ongoing Israeli strikes on Iran, which it supports.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it was reviewing the incidents to establish whether they resulted from Hezbollah or IDF activity. The IDF emphasized that the area is an active combat zone and cautioned against assuming its forces were responsible for the attacks on UN personnel.
UN calls for protection of peacekeepers
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, condemned the violence, stating that peacekeepers are deployed on behalf of the international community and must be protected. He urged Lebanon and Israel to utilize Unifil's dialogue mechanism, stressing the need to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"Deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law," Unifil said. "The human cost of this conflict is far too high. The violence must end."
Indonesia reaffirms commitment to peacekeeping mission
Following Sunday's fatality, the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) reiterated its dedication to the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah told the state-owned news agency Antara that Indonesia would continue its duties professionally while prioritizing soldier safety.
Unifil's role and rising casualties
Established by the UN Security Council in 1978, Unifil acts as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon, patrolling the "Blue Line"-the de facto border-alongside the Lebanese army. Since its inception, 339 peacekeepers have died in the line of duty.
Despite a November 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered after violence escalated over the Gaza war, Israel has conducted near-daily strikes on Hezbollah targets. Israel claims Hezbollah has violated the ceasefire by failing to disarm and withdraw from southern Lebanon, accusing Unifil and the Lebanese army of inadequate action against the group.
According to the Lebanese health ministry, 1,238 people, including 124 children, have been killed in Lebanon since the ceasefire began. Earlier this month, four Ghanaian UN soldiers were injured when their base was struck, though no group claimed responsibility.
