The U.N. said preliminary findings show one of three Indonesian peacekeepers in Lebanon was killed by an Israeli tank projectile and two by an IED likely planted by Hezbollah. The U.N. cautioned that these are early conclusions based on initial physical evidence and a full investigation is ongoing. Indonesia has called for a thorough probe and prosecution, while UNIFIL reported that Israeli forces blocked a convoy and briefly detained a peacekeeper. U.N. officials warned the incidents could amount to war crimes under international law.
U.N. Preliminary Probe: Israeli Tank Fire Likely Killed One Peacekeeper, Two Killed By IED Probably Planted By Hezbollah
FILE PHOTO: Relatives of Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeper killed in Lebanon, react during a funeral ceremony at Cikutra Heroes Cemetery in Bandung, West Java province, Indonesia, April 5, 2026. REUTERS/Claudio Pramana/File Photo
The United Nations said preliminary findings from its inquiry into the deaths of three Indonesian peacekeepers in southern Lebanon indicate that one was struck by an Israeli tank projectile and two were killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) most likely planted by Hezbollah.
U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric emphasized these are early conclusions made "based on initial physical evidence" and that a full, formal investigation remains under way with engagement from the parties involved.
"These are preliminary findings, based on initial physical evidence," Dujarric said at a news briefing, adding that the incidents are "unacceptable" and could amount to war crimes under international law.
The three Indonesian peacekeepers were killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon on March 29 and March 30, following a weekend of heavy fighting that also saw Lebanese journalists and medical personnel killed in Israeli strikes.
Calls For Accountability
The U.N. has asked national authorities to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute to ensure those responsible are brought to justice. Indonesia urged a thorough probe in light of the preliminary results, with Veronica Rompis, a senior Indonesian foreign ministry official, telling reporters that all perpetrators should be held accountable.
Operational Impact And Tensions
Bombardment in southern Lebanon forced a humanitarian convoy organized by the Vatican's embassy to turn back while attempting to reach a besieged Christian town, a priest from the town told Reuters. Meanwhile, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said the Israeli military had blocked a UNIFIL logistics convoy and briefly detained one peacekeeper.
UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel called any detention of a U.N. peacekeeper a blatant violation of international law. She said the Israeli military informed UNIFIL that it had launched an investigation into the detention.
A full U.N. investigation is continuing to establish the facts and will include consultation with the parties to the incidents. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington and Stanley Widianto in Jakarta; additional reporting by Menna Alaa El Din; editing by Matthew Lewis and Edwina Gibbs)
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