Indonesia condemns deadly attacks on UN troops as Israel intensifies operations against Hezbollah
Three United Nations peacekeepers from Indonesia were killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon, as Israeli air and ground strikes continue to intensify along the border with Hezbollah.
Two peacekeepers died on Monday after an explosion destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan, wounding two others, according to the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL. Another soldier was killed overnight Sunday near Adchit al-Qusayr, with one additional peacekeeper critically injured.
The Indonesian Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks as “heinous” and called for a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation. Foreign Minister Sugiono requested an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting following consultations with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who stated that attacks on peacekeepers violate international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes.
UNIFIL is stationed in southern Lebanon to monitor hostilities along the demarcation line with Israel, an area that has seen escalating clashes since Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in solidarity with Tehran, two days after US-Israel attacks on Iran.
The conflict has already caused over 1,240 civilian deaths in Lebanon, including more than 120 children, nearly 80 women, and dozens of paramedics, according to Lebanese authorities. Israeli strikes have also targeted Hezbollah commanders and Palestinian militant operatives in southern Lebanon and Beirut suburbs.
The Israeli military reported the deaths of additional soldiers in southern Lebanon and has issued evacuation warnings for villages in the western Bekaa region, citing militant activity. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s armed forces are not directly engaging Israeli troops, though the country has suffered heavy civilian and paramedic casualties.
The recent escalation underscores the deteriorating security environment in southern Lebanon, putting UN peacekeepers and civilians at grave risk amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
Source: Reuters