Two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed on Monday by a roadside explosion in southern Lebanon, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix has stated, referencing findings from an initial investigation.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) reported that the explosion, which is of unknown origin, destroyed the peacekeepers' vehicle near Bani Hayyan. A third peacekeeper was severely injured, while another sustained injuries.
This incident marks the second fatal occurrence within 24 hours, following the death of another Indonesian peacekeeper on Sunday from an explosion in Adchit Al Qusayr.
Unifil is currently conducting investigations into both incidents. Lacroix relayed that the findings of an initial investigation point towards an improvised explosive device (IED) being responsible for the explosion that claimed the lives of the two peacekeepers on Monday.
In addition, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General indicated that the Sunday explosion might have stemmed from an artillery round landing in the location occupied by the Indonesian forces.
The recent deaths of the peacekeepers coincide with heightened military actions, as the Israeli military has announced intentions to intensify attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon, an armed group that has retaliated by firing rockets into Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have stated their own internal reviews concluded that the Bani Hayyan explosion was not caused by IDF activity, emphasizing that they had no troops present in the area at that time.
In related developments, the IDF reported the loss of four soldiers in combat operations in southern Lebanon, further contributing to the rising tensions in the region. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric has called on all parties to respect the safety of peacekeeping troops, underlining their role on behalf of the international community.
Antara, the Indonesian government-owned news outlet, identified the peacekeepers killed as Captain Zulmi Aditya Iskandar and First Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ichwan, while the soldier who lost their life on Sunday was named Chief Private Farizal Rhomadhon.
Unifil, established in 1978, serves as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon and operates along the Blue Line, the de facto border, typically in collaboration with the Lebanese army.
Since its inception, around 339 peacekeepers have been killed in the line of duty. Following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in November 2024, ongoing military confrontations have contributed to significant casualties, including at least 1,268 deaths in Lebanon, including children, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
