Three Indonesian soldiers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon within 24 hours, and the origin of both explosions remains unconfirmed, UNIFIL said Monday.
The first death occurred Sunday when a projectile of unknown origin detonated near a UNIFIL position close to the village of Adchit al-Qusayr.
A peacekeeper was tragically killed last night when a projectile exploded in a UNIFIL position near Adchit Al Qusayr. Another was critically injured. No one should ever lose their life serving the cause of peace.
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) March 29, 2026
Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs identified the slain peacekeeper as one of its citizens and said three others were wounded by what it described as “indirect artillery fire.” UNIFIL identified him as Chief Private Farizal Rhomadhon, the first UNIFIL fatality since the current Israel-Hezbollah conflict erupted on March 2.
A second incident on Monday killed two more Indonesian peacekeepers when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle near the village of Bani Hayyan. A third peacekeeper was severely wounded and a fourth was also injured in the blast. UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel said the two incidents are being investigated separately.
Two UNIFIL peacekeepers were tragically killed in south Lebanon today, when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan. A third peacekeeper was severely injured, and a fourth was also hurt.
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) March 30, 2026
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initially stated on Telegram that both incidents were “being thoroughly reviewed in order to clarify the circumstances and determine whether they resulted from Hezbollah activity or from IDF activity,” noting both occurred in an active combat area.
However, following a completed inquiry into the Monday explosion near Bani Hayyan, the IDF stated that the blast “was not caused by IDF activity,” suggesting the involvement of an explosive device not belonging to their forces.
⭕️IDF Inquiry Concludes: Yesterday’s incident in which @UNIFIL_ troops were killed was not caused by IDF activity.
Over the past day, the IDF completed its review of the incident yesterday, in which it was reported that UNIFIL troops were killed by the explosion of an explosive…
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 31, 2026
Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the incidents and separately reiterated its condemnation “Israel’s attacks in southern Lebanon,” calling on all parties to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty.
The Government of the Republic of Indonesia condemns in the strongest terms the second consecutive incident near Bani Haiyyan, southern Lebanon, on 30 March 2026 affecting Indonesian peacekeepers serving under UNIFIL, resulting in the loss of two more lives and injuries to two…
— MoFA Indonesia (@Kemlu_RI) March 31, 2026
The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), however, reaffirmed its mission.”We remain committed to carrying out our duties as part of the world peacekeeping mission under the mandate of the United Nations professionally and responsibly,” Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah said, according to the state-run Antara news agency.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN under-secretary-general for peace operations, condemned “these unacceptable incidents” and said “all acts that endanger the peacekeepers must stop.”
France requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said “a new red line was crossed,” and Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheal Martin warned of a “shocking escalation of violence.”
Around 339 UNIFIL peacekeepers have been killed since the mission was established in 1978.
