- UNIFIL says 2 separate incidents involved projectiles of unknown origin
The United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) said three of its peacekeepers were killed in south Lebanon in less than 24 hours in separate incidents.
The UN said Monday an explosion of “unknown origin” destroyed a vehicle near the Bani Haiyyan municipality, killing two Indonesian peacekeepers.
Two other peacekeepers were wounded, one severely.
That happened just hours after another Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeeper was killed when a projectile exploded at a UN position near the southern Lebanese village of Adchit al-Qusayr.
“We have launched an investigation to determine what happened,” UNIFIL said of the latest incident.
The UN’s peacekeeping chief, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, strongly condemned the attack. He told reporters in New York that “the origin of the explosion is not yet determined,” and UNIFIL continues to operate under dangerous conditions.
“We also remain seriously concerned about several aggressive behaviors,” and “all acts that endanger the peacekeepers must stop,” he added, condemning what he described as unacceptable incidents targeting UN personnel.
The peacekeeping force expressed its condolences to the families and colleagues of the victims of the latest incident and said it hoped for the “full and fast recovery” of the injured.
UNIFIL also reiterated its calls for all parties involved in the conflict to comply with international law and ensure the safety of UN personnel and property.
“Deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701, and may constitute war crimes,” it said.
The mission added that the human toll of the ongoing violence remained “far too high” and renewed its call for an end to hostilities in the region.