Escalation in Lebanon: Indonesian Government Prioritises Safety of RI Contingent in UNIFIL
Jakarta – The Indonesian government is closely monitoring developments in the situation and their impact on the Garuda Contingent deployed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) amidst escalating attacks by Israeli forces against Lebanon.
“The Indonesian government continues to closely monitor developments in the situation and their impact on the Garuda Contingent serving with UNIFIL,” according to a statement from the Indonesian Foreign Ministry (Kemlu) monitored in Jakarta on Saturday.
The Kemlu stated that the Indonesian government ensures that “the safety and security of peacekeeping personnel remain a priority in the current situation”.
The government conveyed appreciation for the integrity, professionalism and dedication maintained by the Garuda Contingent in carrying out its mandate with UNIFIL to maintain stability and peace in southern Lebanon, despite the increasingly serious security threats.
Indonesia also hopes that all members of the Garuda Contingent in UNIFIL continue to be afforded safety in carrying out their duties, the Kemlu stated.
Furthermore, Indonesia expressed concern that escalation of tensions has occurred not only along the “Blue Line” demarcation line in southern Lebanon, but also extending to Beirut, Lebanon’s capital.
Indonesia emphasised that under international law, all parties are responsible for ensuring the safety and security of UN personnel and property wherever they are located, particularly in Lebanon.
Accordingly, the Indonesian government strongly condemned the escalation of Israeli attacks against Lebanon that have caused casualties and infrastructure damage, and which constitute serious violations of international law, the Kemlu stated.
Following combined United States and Israeli attacks on Iran on 28 February 2026, the Shiite Lebanese group Hezbollah launched attacks on several Israeli military positions on 2 March, which were immediately retaliated by Israeli forces on the same day.
The tensions occurring along the Israel-Lebanon border have reportedly resulted in casualties among UNIFIL personnel from various countries hit by Israeli attacks.
On 7 March 2026, for example, several Ghanaian military personnel in UNIFIL were wounded when Israel attacked their positions in southern Lebanon. A similar incident occurred again on 14 March, when the Nepal battalion headquarters reportedly came under fire from Israeli artillery.
The Kemlu expressed Indonesia’s concern over attacks on these UNIFIL positions that have caused injuries to several peace keepers.