KEPRI POST – The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) revealed the cause of the death of Indonesian National Army (TNI) personnel who served as peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.
In the results of the initial investigation, UNIFIL stated that one of the TNI soldiers died after the UN peacekeeping position was hit by Israeli tank fire on March 29 2026.
The incident occurred amidst increasing tensions and gunfire in the Lebanon–Israel border area which has recently heated up again.
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Israeli Army Detains Peacekeeping Personnel
Apart from the shooting incident, UNIFIL also reported other incidents involving Israeli soldiers.
On Tuesday (7/4/2026), the Israeli army detained one of the UN peacekeeping personnel after intercepting a UNIFIL logistics aid convoy. The personnel were then released less than an hour after the detention occurred.
UNIFIL said the release came after “direct and immediate contact” from senior leadership and the UN peacekeeping mission’s liaison branch.
However, UNIFIL condemned the detention and called it a serious violation of international law.
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UNIFIL: Violation of UNSC Resolution 1701
In its official statement, UNIFIL emphasized that any form of interference with the work of peacekeeping forces is a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
The resolution was issued after the 2006 Lebanon War and provided for an end to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, while guaranteeing freedom of movement for UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.
UNIFIL also calls on all parties to respect the protected status of peacekeepers and not to obstruct their movements under any circumstances.
Three TNI Soldiers Killed in Two Incidents
Previously, at the end of March 2026, three Indonesian peacekeepers were reported killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon.
One TNI soldier was killed by Israeli tank fire that hit UNIFIL’s position on March 29.
Meanwhile, two other personnel died a day later when their vehicle which was part of a logistics convoy was destroyed by an explosion of unknown origin near the Bani Hayyan area.
The initial findings of the investigation stated that there were indications of a roadside bomb explosion that hit the vehicle. ***
