BEIRUT — An Indonesian peacekeeper serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was killed when a projectile struck a UN position in southern Lebanon on Sunday, UNIFIL and Indonesian officials said.
The incident occurred near the village of Adchit al-Qusayr when a projectile exploded at a UNIFIL position, UNIFIL said in a statement on Monday. Indonesia’s foreign ministry confirmed that one of its peacekeepers died and three others were wounded by indirect artillery fire in the vicinity of the Indonesian contingent’s position.
The deceased peacekeeper was identified as Chief Private Farizal Rhomadhon, 28, from Indonesia’s 25th Infantry Brigade, according to the Indonesian military.
UNIFIL stated that the origin of the projectile remained unknown and that it was investigating the incident. The mission has called on all parties to respect the safety of peacekeepers and UN positions.
Indonesia’s foreign ministry strongly condemned the incident and called for a thorough and transparent investigation to identify those responsible. “Indonesia reiterates its condemnation of attacks in southern Lebanon and calls on all parties to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty,” the ministry said in a statement.
The death is part of a series of incidents affecting UNIFIL personnel amid heightened hostilities in southern Lebanon. UNIFIL has reported multiple incidents in recent weeks where its positions came under fire or were in the vicinity of exchanges between Israeli forces and armed groups.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the killing and reiterated the need to protect peacekeepers. Details on additional casualties among Indonesian peacekeepers in separate incidents on Monday remained under verification as of Tuesday.
UNIFIL, established in 1978, maintains positions in southern Lebanon to monitor the area and support stability. Indonesia contributes one of the larger contingents to the mission.
As of Tuesday, the situation in southern Lebanon remained tense with ongoing exchanges of fire reported in the region. UNIFIL said its operations continued but stressed the increasing risks to its personnel.
Further details on the precise circumstances of the strike and any response from involved parties were not immediately available.
