Newsletters
An Indonesian peacekeeper serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was killed after a projectile struck a U.N. position in southern Lebanon as Israeli attacks continued in the border area.
The incident occurred near the town of Adchit al Qusayr, close to the Israeli border, where clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters have been ongoing for weeks. UNIFIL said another peacekeeper was critically injured in the blast and confirmed that an investigation has been launched.
Indonesia confirmed that one of its personnel was killed and three others were wounded by "indirect artillery fire," adding that the targeted position belonged to its UNIFIL battalion, according to Lebanon’s state news agency.
"No one should ever lose their life serving the cause of peace," the U.N. mission said in a statement. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also reacted, warning that recent incidents have increasingly put peacekeepers at risk.
"This is just one of a number of recent incidents that have jeopardised the safety and security of peacekeepers," Guterres said.
Israel has stepped up airstrikes across Lebanon and pushed ground troops into the south since Hezbollah launched a cross-border attack on March 2, effectively breaking a ceasefire that had been in place since late 2024.
UNIFIL has reported repeated impacts on its positions since the latest escalation began. Earlier in March, three Ghanaian peacekeepers were wounded by gunfire in another southern border town. The conflict expanded into Lebanon in early March after Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel.
Israel responded with air strikes across Lebanese territory and has since moved ground forces into multiple towns in the south. Israeli officials say the objective is to establish a security zone extending 30 kilometres from the border to protect communities in northern Israel.
UNIFIL was established in 1978 to monitor the cessation of hostilities, support the Lebanese army in extending state authority in the south, and help maintain stability along the Blue Line, the U.N.-demarcated boundary between Lebanon and Israel.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
