Two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed on Monday by a 'roadside explosion' in southern Lebanon, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix has said, citing the findings of an initial investigation. In a separate statement, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) stated that the explosion, of 'unknown origin,' had 'destroyed' the peacekeepers' vehicle near Bani Hayyan. A third peacekeeper was 'severely' injured in the explosion, along with a fourth who also sustained injuries.
This was the second fatal incident in just 24 hours; another Indonesian peacekeeper was killed on Sunday when a projectile also of unknown origin exploded in Adchit Al Qusayr, southern Lebanon. Following both incidents, Unifil announced it had launched investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding them.
The findings of an 'initial' investigation suggest that a roadside explosion struck the convoy, possibly caused by an IED (improvised explosive device), according to Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general.
Notably, the deaths come shortly after the Israeli military indicated it would escalate ground and air attacks against Hezbollah. Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia and political party, has retaliated against ongoing US-Israel strikes on Iranian positions by firing rockets into Israel. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) noted their own review determined that the explosion in Bani Hayyan was not caused by any IDF activity, maintaining that no explosives were placed in the area by their troops.
Additionally, the IDF reported that four of their soldiers were killed in combat in southern Lebanon over the past days, heightening the already tense atmosphere in the region. Dujarric emphasizes that peacekeepers are 'soldiers sent there on behalf of the international community' and called for their protection.
The UN peacekeeping force was first deployed in Lebanon in 1978 and has since served as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon. Approximately 339 peacekeepers have been killed in this mission, highlighting the persistent dangers they face. These incidents occur amidst a ceasefire that was brokered following violence that erupted over the conflict in Gaza, with the Lebanese health ministry noting that thousands have already died in the ongoing clashes.
This was the second fatal incident in just 24 hours; another Indonesian peacekeeper was killed on Sunday when a projectile also of unknown origin exploded in Adchit Al Qusayr, southern Lebanon. Following both incidents, Unifil announced it had launched investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding them.
The findings of an 'initial' investigation suggest that a roadside explosion struck the convoy, possibly caused by an IED (improvised explosive device), according to Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general.
Notably, the deaths come shortly after the Israeli military indicated it would escalate ground and air attacks against Hezbollah. Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia and political party, has retaliated against ongoing US-Israel strikes on Iranian positions by firing rockets into Israel. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) noted their own review determined that the explosion in Bani Hayyan was not caused by any IDF activity, maintaining that no explosives were placed in the area by their troops.
Additionally, the IDF reported that four of their soldiers were killed in combat in southern Lebanon over the past days, heightening the already tense atmosphere in the region. Dujarric emphasizes that peacekeepers are 'soldiers sent there on behalf of the international community' and called for their protection.
The UN peacekeeping force was first deployed in Lebanon in 1978 and has since served as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon. Approximately 339 peacekeepers have been killed in this mission, highlighting the persistent dangers they face. These incidents occur amidst a ceasefire that was brokered following violence that erupted over the conflict in Gaza, with the Lebanese health ministry noting that thousands have already died in the ongoing clashes.
