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Two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed on Monday, and two others were injured, in an explosion that hit a UNIFILE logistics convoy, destroying their vehicles.
The incident occurred near Bani Hayyan in southern Lebanon a day after another Indonesian blue helmet was killed when a projectile hit the mission’s headquarters in Ett Taibe and exploded.
One of his colleagues – who was seriously injured and evacuated to the capital, Beirut – remains in hospital.
Never targeted
UNIFIL is conducting an investigation”to determine the circumstances of this tragic development,” said the head of UN Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, in New York.
“We strongly condemn this unacceptable incident. Peacekeepers should not be targets,” he told reporters at a press conference at UN Headquarters.
“We also remain deeply concerned over several incidents of aggressive behavior towards UNIFIL peacekeepers in recent days,” he added.
Expanding regional risks
Mr. Lacroix emphasized that the UN peacekeeping force “stay on the ground, carry out Security Council-mandated duties, in these extremely dangerous conditions.”
Tensions continue to rise in the Middle East more than a month after the United States and Israel bombed Iran, prompting Iran to carry out retaliatory attacks on several countries in the region.
At first, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres be warned that the crisis risks “triggering a chain of events that no one can control in the world’s most volatile region.”
Since March 2, more than 1,200 people in Lebanon have been killed in escalating hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, said UN Special Coordinator for the country Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert.
Determine the circumstances
Following the deadly shooting incident on Sunday, said UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel UN News that the investigation is ongoing but will take time.
“At this time, we don’t have a clear picture of what actually happened, but that’s what the investigation will find out,” he said.
“Once our investigation is complete, as we always do, we will convey that to the parties. And depending on the outcome, if we find the parties responsible, we will notify them and we will formally protest to them.”
Service and sacrifice
More than 8,000 peacekeepers from nearly 50 countries serve in UNIFIL. These men and women “demonstrated the utmost courage and commitment to advancing international peace and security far from their countries,” Lacroix said.
The mission was established in 1978 by the UN Security Council to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese Government in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the region.
They have played an important role in promoting peace and security, including by patrolling the Blue Line that separates the two countries.
‘Very dangerous and uncertain situation’
Peacekeepers also helped implement a Security Council resolution ending more than 30 days of hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in 2006.
The current clashes have caused “numerous violations”. resolution 1701 (2006)Lacroix said, citing attacks in both directions across the Blue Line as well as the presence of Israeli troops in Lebanon.
“We have seen numerous Israeli attacks on South Lebanon in various areas, including near our headquarters in Naqoura.where about a week ago, in the last few days, we had some very heavy fighting that we could hear going on,” said Mrs. Ardiel.
“Our base here was hit by bullets, shrapnel. Rockets even hit our base, so it was a disaster.” a very dangerous and uncertain situation.”
There is no military solution
Mr. Lacroix was adamant that hostilities could only be resolved through diplomatic means.
“There is no possibility of a military solution. There must be a political solutionhe said.
“A framework already exists for a political solution – resolution 1701 – to which all parties are still committed, as far as we hear from them.”
