AWG expresses condolences over the deaths of three TNI soldiers in Lebanon
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The humanitarian organisation Aqsa Working Group (AWG) has expressed deep condolences over the deaths of three TNI soldiers killed by Israel while carrying out duties as UN peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) in Lebanon.
“We pray that the deceased receive the best place beside Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala and that their bereaved families are granted patience and strength,” according to an AWG statement issued on Tuesday (31/3).
In addition to offering condolences for the deaths of Chief Soldier Farizal Rhomadhon, Captain Infantry Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, and Sergeant First Class Muhammad Nur Ichwan, AWG also expressed sorrow for other victims who sustained injuries from the Israeli attack.
According to the group, the dedication of the three in serving as guardians of world peace represents a tangible contribution from Indonesia towards realising global order, in line with the constitutional mandate.
“The martyrdom of these three soldiers is not only a loss for the greater TNI family but also for the entire Indonesian nation and humanity yearning for the upholding of justice and peace, particularly in the Middle East region, which remains plagued by instability due to Zionist Israeli aggression and occupation,” AWG stated.
The attack targeting the Indonesian contingent’s headquarters in Adshit al-Qusayr, southern Lebanon, and a logistics convoy vehicle constitutes a highly serious act, as it directly targets peacekeeping forces operating under an international mandate.
Meanwhile, in addition to expressing condolences, AWG also commended the dedication and sacrifices of TNI soldiers in carrying out humanitarian and world peace missions as a manifestation of Indonesia’s commitment to maintaining global stability.
They emphasised that the attack on the Indonesian contingent is an attack on the Republic of Indonesia.
Therefore, the government must not stop at mere condemnation but must take firm and measured steps to defend the nation’s honour and sovereignty, according to AWG’s further statement.
AWG urged the Indonesian government to immediately and without compromise withdraw from the Board of Peace (BoP), as the deadly attack on the three TNI soldiers was carried out by Zionist Israel, a BoP member politically and militarily supported and funded by the US as the BoP’s initiator.
Involvement in such a scheme has proven risky and inconsistent with the constitutional mandate and Indonesia’s commitment to Palestinian independence.
AWG also urged the Indonesian government to play a much stronger and firmer diplomatic role in international forums to demand accountability from the Zionist Israeli regime for the deadly attack.
“The martyrdom of these three TNI peacekeepers must strengthen Indonesia’s role in UNIFIL, not the opposite,” they stated.
“These three martyrs also serve as a stark warning to the government that international peacekeeping forces operate under the UN mandate, not the contradictory and Zionist Israel-interest-laden Board of Peace,” AWG added.
They affirmed that attacks on peacekeeping forces constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law, breaching UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and can be categorised as war crimes.
To that end, AWG urged the UN and all international institutions to promptly take concrete, independent, and impartial actions to investigate and sanction the perpetrators of these violations. Moreover, the attack clearly targeted a UN entity.
They stressed that the continuous violations by Zionist Israel must not be allowed to go unpunished, as it would only prolong the conflict, expand regional instability, and threaten world peace.
Accordingly, AWG also called on Muslims and the international community to continue monitoring the Palestinian issue and strengthening global solidarity in demanding an end to all apartheid actions in Palestine, including occupation, genocide, the Gaza blockade, and the desecration and closure of the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque carried out by Israel.