Ankara: Indonesia on Saturday has warned that the ongoing Israeli incursion in southern Lebanon is placing UN peacekeepers in 'sustained danger,' after an explosion that injured three Indonesian personnel serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
According to Anadolu Agency, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry expressed 'grave concern' over Friday's blast in El Addaiseh, which injured three personnel deployed under UNIFIL. It noted that this incident marked the third serious case involving its troops in less than a week. The ministry labeled repeated incidents as utterly unacceptable and emphasized the urgent need to enhance protection for UN peacekeepers in the increasingly hazardous environment.
Earlier in the week, three Indonesian peacekeepers were killed and five others injured. In response, Indonesia urged the UN Security Council to address the situation urgently. The country also called on troop- and police-contributing countries to convene a meeting to bolster protection measures for peacekeepers in the region.
Jakarta demanded a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation into the explosion, urging for the identification and accountability of those responsible. The repeated incidents, Indonesia stated, underscore the dangerous conditions faced by UN personnel in southern Lebanon, where tensions have risen due to continued military activity in the border area.
The Indonesian government expressed concerns over Israel's ongoing operations and reported intentions to maintain a presence in southern Lebanon, warning that such actions risk further destabilizing the situation and exposing peacekeepers to sustained threats. Indonesia reiterated that the safety and security of UN peacekeepers are non-negotiable and emphasized that any harm to peacekeepers is a serious violation of international law.
As one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to international peace operations. The country extended wishes for a swift recovery to the injured personnel and expressed solidarity with them and their families as investigations continue.