UN Chief condemns killing of two Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon

Crime Diary, International

INTERNATIONAL, 31 March 2026 (NPA) — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the killing of two Indonesian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) during clashes in southern Lebanon on Monday. The incident occurred amid intensified fighting between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israeli forces along the northern front.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Guterres confirmed that a third peacekeeper was critically injured and a fourth also sustained wounds. “My deepest condolences to the peacekeepers’ families, friends and colleagues, and to Indonesia. I wish a full and speedy recovery to the injured peacekeepers,” he said.

The Secretary-General noted that the attack marked the second fatal incident in 24 hours, following the killing of another peacekeeper in a separate incident on Sunday. He stressed that assaults on UN personnel constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and must cease immediately. “No one should ever have to die serving the cause of peace,” he added.

UNIFIL, in a separate statement on Monday, reiterated the urgent need for all parties to respect international law and ensure the safety of UN personnel and property. It warned that deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are violations of Security Council Resolution 1701 and may amount to war crimes.

“The human cost of this conflict is far too high. The violence, as we have said before, must end,” UNIFIL declared.