Israeli Attack in Lebanon Leaves 2 Indonesian Peacekeepers Wounded
Jakarta. The recent Israeli fires at some of the UN interim forces’ positions have left two Indonesian peacekeepers wounded, the government confirmed on Friday.
Israeli forces had fired its weapons at a watchtower belonging to the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon -- also known as UNIFIL -- in Naqoura on Thursday morning local time. Two Indonesian peacekeepers who were guarding the tower got injured.
Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said she had spoken with the Garuda Contingent -- the Indonesian military’s peacekeeping unit -- on the latest status of the injured Blue Helmet personnel.
“The two Indonesian peacekeepers suffer minor injuries. They remain at the hospital for medical observation,” Retno told reporters through a video statement.
“Indonesia strongly condemns the attack. Any attack on UN personnel and properties is a major violation of international humanitarian law and the UN Security Council resolution 1701. Indonesia urges all parties to respect inviolability of all UN premises at all times,” Retno, who is currently in Laos for the ASEAN Summit, said.
In 2006, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 1701 to cool down the fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant Hezbollah.
The heightened Middle East tensions had prompted a UN Security Council meeting on Thursday evening local time. The talks also zeroed in on Israel's attack on the UNIFIL missions operating along the so-called "Blue Line" -- a border that the UN has set to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the south of Lebanon.
Indonesia was among the countries that got to deliver a statement at the briefing in which Jakarta denounced the Israeli attack. Indonesia also urged the UN Security Council to take concrete actions, according to Retno.
Indonesia is the largest troop-contributing country to UNIFIL. As of Sep. 2, Indonesia has deployed 1,231 personnel to help protect civilians and strengthen security along the Lebanon-Israel borders, UNIFIL reported.
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