Three UN peacekeepers killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon

Three Indonesian UN peacekeepers have been killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon, marking the first fatalities among peacekeeping forces since renewed hostilities began earlier this month.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said two peacekeepers were killed and two others injured on Monday when an explosion destroyed their vehicle in the Bani Haiyan area.

In a separate incident late Sunday, another Indonesian peacekeeper was killed and one seriously wounded after shelling near a UN position in the village of Adshit al-Qusayr.

UNIFIL spokesperson Candice Ardiel said both incidents are being investigated separately.

Indonesia’s foreign ministry confirmed the casualties, stating that three personnel were also wounded in what it described as indirect shelling.

Jakarta strongly condemned the attacks, calling any assault on peacekeepers unacceptable.

The incidents come amid renewed fighting between Israel and the armed group Hezbollah since March 2.

Following talks with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono called for a swift and transparent investigation and an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

The Israeli military said it is aware of the incidents and is reviewing whether they were caused by Hezbollah fire or its own operations.

Guterres condemned the attacks, warning that targeting peacekeepers may constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and could amount to a war crime.

UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix also described the incidents as “unacceptable,” stressing that peacekeepers must never be targeted.