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 marks the second fatal incident within the last 24 hours, with another Indonesian peacekeeper having been killed on Sunday night by a projectile of unknown origin in Adchit Al Qusayr.
Unifil has launched an investigation into both incidents to ascertain the details surrounding the attacks.
The deaths of the peacekeepers occur in the context of increasing violence in the region, coinciding with the Israeli military's announcement of intensifying ground and air operations against Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia that has fired rockets into Israel.
In response to the tragedies, Unifil expressed its condolences and stressed that all actors must ensure the safety of UN personnel, emphasizing that deliberate attacks on peacekeepers violate international humanitarian law.
Created in 1978 by the UN Security Council, Unifil operates as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon and plays a crucial role in maintaining peace by patrolling the 'Blue Line', the de facto border.
Despite a ceasefire brokered in November 2024, ongoing hostilities continue, with casualties mounting in Lebanon, including significant civilian losses since the ceasefire began.
The loss of the Indonesian peacekeepers highlights the human cost of the conflict, and UN officials reiterate that the cycle of violence must come to an end.
