Indonesia has called for a United Nations investigation into the deaths of three of its peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, attributing the killings to Israeli attacks as conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues. The call came during an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday, following the deaths of the Indonesian soldiers.
Indonesia Demands UN Investigation into Peacekeeper Deaths
Indonesia’s representative to the UN, Omar Hadi, stated, “We demand a direct investigation by the United Nations into the killing of UNIFIL peacekeepers, not merely Israeli excuses.”
UNIFIL – the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon – has been operating in the country’s south since the late 1970s. Last year, the UN Security Council extended the mission’s mandate until the end of 2026, with a full pullout scheduled for the end of 2027 following US pressure.
A UN security source reported to AFP that Israeli fire killed one Indonesian peacekeeper over the weekend. Investigations revealed the fire originated from an Israeli tank, with debris from a tank round recovered at the site.
On Monday, another explosion of unknown origin destroyed a peacekeeping vehicle, resulting in the deaths of two more Indonesian troops. While Israel’s military denied responsibility for this incident, it has left behind cluster munitions, unexploded ordnance, and IEDs from its operations.
Recurring Attacks on UNIFIL
The UN force has been caught in the crossfire between Hezbollah and Israel since fighting escalated in 2024 and resumed a month ago. The deaths of the Indonesian peacekeepers mark the first fatalities, though several other personnel have been wounded in attacks.
An internal report seen by The Associated Press in February indicated a dramatic surge in “aggressive behaviour” by Israeli forces towards UNIFIL peacekeepers over the past year, including drone-dropped grenades and machine-gun fire. The report alleges this targeting aims to undermine the international force and strengthen Israel’s military presence along the UN-drawn border with Lebanon, known as the Blue Line.
During the 2024 conflict, the Israeli military repeatedly ordered UNIFIL to vacate its positions, which the UN force refused to do. Israel has accused UNIFIL of failing to prevent Hezbollah from building up its military presence along the border, although both the Lebanese government and UNIFIL confirmed in December 2024 that no Hezbollah presence existed south of the Litani River.
Indonesia’s Role in UNIFIL and Beyond
Jakarta joined UNIFIL following the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. Indonesia currently contributes 755 personnel to the 8,200-strong UN force, making it one of the largest national contingents.
Indonesia is also part of the ‘Board of Peace,’ established earlier this year to oversee post-war Gaza, and is expected to contribute 5,000 soldiers to a potential stabilization force there. This participation has drawn criticism from some experts and Muslim groups, who argue it compromises Indonesia’s long-standing support for the Palestinians.
Under the ceasefire deal that ended Israel’s operations in Gaza, Israeli forces are obligated to gradually withdraw as international forces are deployed. However, similar to the attacks faced by its troops in southern Lebanon, Indonesian soldiers in Gaza could face ongoing threats from Israeli attacks.
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