3 UNIFIL peacekeepers killed in two days in south Lebanon

UNIFIL: two peacekeepers killed, others wounded amid fighting in south Lebanon

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported a tragic escalation in southern Lebanon over the weekend and Monday, with multiple peacekeepers killed and wounded amid ongoing clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.

An Indonesian peacekeeper was killed on Sunday by an unexploded projectile of unknown origin near Adhseet al-Qusair. Another peacekeeper was seriously injured in the same incident, according to UNIFIL. Jakarta confirmed the victim’s nationality and reported that three other peacekeepers were wounded in the attacks. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry expressed “its deepest condolences following the death of an Indonesian peacekeeper and the injuries sustained by three others” serving with UNIFIL.

On Monday, the situation worsened after an Israeli airstrike targeted an area between Bani Hayyan and Tallousa (Marjayoun), injuring additional Indonesian peacekeepers. UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel confirmed that some injured personnel were evacuated, but two peacekeepers remained inaccessible due to security concerns.

Later on 30 March 2026, UNIFIL released a statement reporting that two peacekeepers were tragically killed when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle near Beni Hayyan. A third peacekeeper was severely injured, and a fourth also sustained injuries. This marks the second fatal incident involving UNIFIL personnel in 24 hours.

“We reiterate that no one should ever have to die serving the cause of peace,” the statement said, extending condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the fallen peacekeepers. UNIFIL also expressed hopes for a full and speedy recovery for the injured and confirmed that an investigation had been launched to determine the circumstances of the explosions.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced on Monday that he had requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council following the "extremely serious incidents" targeting UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. "Such attacks near U.N. peacekeeping positions are unacceptable and unjustifiable," Barrot said, adding that France is calling for "a full investigation into the circumstances of these tragedies."

Condemnations

During a press briefing at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix condemned “these unacceptable incidents.”

He specified that the two peacekeepers killed on Monday were Indonesian nationals. “Peacekeepers must never be targeted,” he declared, adding that “UNIFIL is investigating these incidents to determine the circumstances of these tragic events.”

“We also remain very concerned about several acts of aggression against peacekeepers in recent days,” he added. “All acts endangering peacekeepers must cease, and all actors must respect their obligations to guarantee their safety in all circumstances.”

“Our peacekeepers remain in the field, carrying out the missions mandated by the Security Council in extremely dangerous conditions,” Lacroix also emphasized. “You can imagine that they are limited in their actions, but they continue to do everything possible.” “Only the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 by both parties will allow for a lasting solution to the conflict,” he concluded.

Earlier in the day, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres had “strongly condemned the incident that occurred on Sunday.”

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun contacted the commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), General Deodato Abagnara, on Monday morning to offer his condolences. He reiterated his condemnation of the attacks against peacekeeping forces in the south, wished a speedy recovery to the wounded soldier, and commended the courage of the international troops serving with UNIFIL in the region.

Reacting to these incidents, Foreign Minister Joe Rajji contacted the U.N. special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, to offer his condolences, as well as those of the Indonesian battalion commander and the UNIFIL commander, General Deodato Abagnara. Rajji commended the sacrifices made by UNIFIL and asked Hennis-Plasschaert to provide him with "all the details and information regarding the circumstances of the death as soon as the UNIFIL investigation is completed."

For his part, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called General Abagnara, offering his condolences and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Berri reiterated to the UNIFIL commander "his condemnation, rejection, and denunciation of attacks targeting peacekeepers, as well as their role in maintaining peace and implementing Resolution 1701."

Jakarta announced on Monday that the victim was an Indonesian national and reported three injuries. The Indonesian government "expresses its deepest condolences following the death of an Indonesian peacekeeper and the injuries sustained by three others" serving with UNIFIL, after indirect artillery fire "near the position of the Indonesian contingent of UNIFIL" on Sunday, the country's Foreign Ministry said on X. UNIFIL reported that its positions were hit several times during the fighting. On March 7, three Ghanaian soldiers were wounded by gunfire in a border town in southern Lebanon.

The town of Adsheet al-Qusair is located near Lebanon's southern border with Israel, where Israeli forces have been clashing with Hezbollah fighters for nearly a month. "In Lebanon, I have just ordered the existing security zone to be further expanded in order to definitively neutralize the threat of invasion and to move anti-tank missile fire away from the border," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.