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Attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon draw widespread condemnation
United Nations, United States, April 9 (AFP) Apr 09, 2026
Dozens of countries contributing troops to the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon called Thursday for a cessation of hostilities, after three blue helmets were killed as Israel and Hezbollah traded strikes.

The Indonesian peacekeepers died in late March. According to a preliminary UN investigation, one was killed by an Israeli tank shell, while the two others were killed by a homemade bomb likely planted by Iran-backed Hezbollah.

More than 60 countries that contribute troops to UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon, denounced persistent attacks on blue helmets.

They included Indonesia, France, the United Kingdom, China and Turkey, and the group was joined by other nations like Russia.

"We condemn in the strongest terms the persistent attacks against UNIFIL, including the latest grave attacks which cost the lives of three Indonesian peacekeepers and injured several other peacekeepers from France, Ghana, Indonesia, Nepal and Poland," Indonesian Ambassador Umar Hadi said on behalf of all the countries.

"We also firmly condemn the unacceptable aggressive behavior towards UNIFIL personnel and leadership recently observed."

UNIFIL, which boasts nearly 8,200 troops from 47 countries, has found itself caught in the middle of ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group that drew Lebanon into a broader regional confrontation.

Even as Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, Israel has continued targeting Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

"We call for a cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, de-escalation of tensions, and for all parties to return to the negotiating table," said the joint statement read out by Hadi.

"We reiterate our strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Lebanon."


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