In brief
In a devastating incident, two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed in southern Lebanon due to an unidentified explosion that obliterated their vehicle. This marks the second fatality in the region within 24 hours, raising concerns amid an escalation of violence. The UN agency responsible for peacekeeping in Lebanon, Unifil, has expressed condolences and launched investigations into the tragic events, reiterating the obligation to ensure safety for UN personnel amidst ongoing conflicts with Hezbollah.
Two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed in southern Lebanon on Monday when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle, the UN agency tasked with policing the region has said.
A third peacekeeper was severely injured in the explosion, and a fourth was hurt, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) said in a statement.
This incident follows another fatal event just 24 hours earlier, where an Indonesian peacekeeper was killed by a projectile, also of unknown origin, that exploded in Adchit Al Qusayr.
Unifil stated investigations have been initiated to determine the circumstances surrounding both incidents. They also extended condolences to the families of the deceased, emphasizing that under international law, all actors are obligated to maintain safety and security for UN personnel. Unifil condemned any deliberate attacks on peacekeepers as grave violations of international humanitarian law.
The timing of these casualties coincides with reports of Israel intensifying ground and air operations against the Lebanese armed group, Hezbollah, which has retaliated by firing rockets into Israel amidst the ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iranian positions.
Unifil, established by the UN Security Council in 1978, serves as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon, patrolling the Blue Line border area along with the Lebanese army. Since its inception, approximately 339 peacekeepers have been killed in the line of duty, underscoring the dangers they face in the region.
