ISTANBUL

Indonesia on Saturday has warned that the ongoing Israeli incursion in southern Lebanon is placing UN peacekeepers in “sustained danger,” after an explosion that injured three Indonesian personnel serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

In a statement to Anadolu, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry expressed “grave concern” over Friday’s blast in El Addaiseh, which injured three personnel deployed under UNIFIL.

It said the incident marked the third serious case involving its troops in less than a week.

“Repeated attacks or incidents of this nature are utterly unacceptable. Regardless of their immediate cause, they underscore the urgent need to strengthen the protection of UN peacekeepers in an increasingly dangerous environment,” the ministry said.

Earlier this week, three Indonesian peacekeepers were also killed and five others injured.

Indonesia called on the UN Security Council to urgently address the situation and urged troop- and police-contributing countries to convene an immediate meeting to strengthen protection measures for peacekeepers operating in the region.

Jakarta also demanded a “thorough, transparent, and independent investigation” into the blast, including identifying those responsible and ensuring accountability.

Indonesia said repeated incidents highlight the increasingly dangerous conditions faced by UN personnel in southern Lebanon, where tensions have escalated amid continued military activity in the border area.

Jakarta said Israel’s ongoing operations and reported intention to maintain a presence in southern Lebanon risk further destabilizing the situation and exposing peacekeepers to sustained threats.

"This incident occurred amid Israel’s ongoing incursion into Lebanon. Israel’s continuing military operations in southern Lebanon, including stated intentions to maintain a presence, risk further destabilizing the situation and placing United Nations peacekeepers in sustained danger."

The government said Indonesia reiterates that the safety and security of UN peacekeepers is non-negotiable, and that any harm to peacekeepers constitutes a serious violation of international law and must not go unanswered.

Indonesia, one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, reiterated its commitment to international peace operations and called the safety of peacekeepers “non-negotiable.”

It also extended wishes for a swift recovery to the injured personnel, expressing solidarity with them and their families as investigations continue.