Southern Lebanon violence claims life of Indonesian UN peacekeeper

An Indonesian UN peacekeeper was killed and several others injured when a projectile exploded near a United Nations position in southern Lebanon, the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced.

The incident occurred near the village of Adchit al-Qusayr, a flashpoint along the demarcation line with Israel where hostilities between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters have escalated. Another peacekeeper was critically injured, UNIFIL said in a statement, Reuters reports.

Indonesia’s foreign ministry confirmed that the deceased peacekeeper was one of its citizens and that three others were wounded by “indirect artillery fire” near the Indonesian UNIFIL contingent’s position.

“We do not know the origin of the projectile. We have launched an investigation to determine all of the circumstances,” UNIFIL said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the attack, calling assaults on peacekeepers “grave violations of international humanitarian law” that may amount to war crimes. He urged all parties to ensure the safety of UN personnel and to hold those responsible accountable.

UNIFIL, which monitors hostilities in southern Lebanon, has repeatedly found itself caught in crossfire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah over the past few years. The mission is scheduled to conclude at the end of 2026.

Earlier this month, Ghana’s UN peacekeeping battalion in Lebanon came under missile fire, leaving two soldiers critically injured. Israel later acknowledged that tank fire from its troops had struck the UN position in response to Hezbollah anti-tank missile attacks.

“Once again, we call on all actors to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times, including by refraining from actions that may put peacekeepers in danger,” UNIFIL said.

Indonesia condemned the incident, calling any harm to peacekeepers “unacceptable,” while reiterating its condemnation “of Israel’s attacks in Southern Lebanon.”

The escalation comes amid the broader Middle East conflict, which intensified after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel on March 2 in solidarity with Tehran, two days after US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Israel responded with a renewed offensive against the group, drawing Lebanon further into the region’s widening war.

By Vafa Guliyeva