Three United Nations peacekeepers have been killed in southern Lebanon following reported Israeli fire, with several others sustaining serious injuries, according to UN officials and a security source.
A UN security source told AFP on Tuesday that Israeli fire was responsible for the death of an Indonesian peacekeeper over the weekend, after the United Nations confirmed it was investigating the incident.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) had earlier stated that the peacekeeper died on Sunday evening when a projectile of unknown origin “exploded in a UNIFIL position near Adchit al-Qusayr.”
According to the source, who requested anonymity, available evidence indicates the projectile was fired from an Israeli tank.
UNIFIL further confirmed that two additional Indonesian peacekeepers were killed in southern Lebanon on Monday.
Responding to the incident, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attacks.
“I strongly condemn Monday’s incident that led to the killing of two Indonesian @UNIFIL peacekeepers in South Lebanon. A third peacekeeper was severely injured & a fourth was also hurt.
“My deepest condolences to the peacekeepers’ families, friends & colleagues and to Indonesia, and wishing a full and fast recovery to the injured peacekeepers.
“This is the second fatal incident in 24 hours — following the killing of a peacekeeper in a separate incident on Sunday.
“Attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law.
“They must stop.
“No one should ever have to die serving the cause of peace,” he said.
Ten European nations, including France and the United Kingdom, urged all sides to ensure the protection of UNIFIL personnel and facilities.
“We urge all parties, under all circumstances, to ensure the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and premises, in accordance with international law,” the foreign ministers of Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom, alongside the European Union’s chief diplomat, said in a joint statement.