Foreign Minister Sugiono Urges UNIFIL to Fully Investigate Death of TNI Soldier in Lebanon

Jakarta – Foreign Minister Sugiono has urged the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the death of TNI Sergeant Farizal Rhomadhon following an attack in Lebanon. Sugiono stated that the investigation is necessary to identify the source of the attack. “We are requesting a full investigation from UNIFIL to determine the source of this incident and once again urging all parties to de-escalate,” Sugiono told reporters on Monday, 30 March 2026. Sugiono explained that all issues should be brought to the negotiating table, especially since the escalation over the past month has had an extraordinary impact on the population. “The President has also offered to act as a mediator so that efforts towards de-escalation and ceasefire can be undertaken,” he clarified. Regarding the death of Sergeant Farizal Rhomadhon, Sugiono conveyed his deepest condolences. He mentioned that he has tasked the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, with preparing steps for the ritual washing of the body and monitoring other TNI personnel there. “It is planned that on Monday morning New York time, the Head of the Indonesian Representation in New York at the UN will meet with the Under Secretary General of the UN handling Peacekeeping Force issues to discuss matters related to the return or ritual washing of our soldier’s body,” Sugiono concluded. Previously reported, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that one TNI personnel attached to the UNIFIL peacekeeping force in Lebanon was killed and three others injured due to an Israeli artillery attack on Sunday, 29 March 2026. “There are casualties from TNI soldiers: one deceased, one in serious condition, and two with minor injuries who are currently receiving medical treatment,” said the Head of the Defence Information Bureau (Karo Infohan) of the Ministry of Defence Secretariat General, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, when confirmed by ANTARA in Jakarta on Monday. Rico explained that the incident occurred due to the increasing escalation of conflict in the Lebanese region. Based on information gathered by ANTARA, the conflict escalation intensified until the artillery attack targeted the Indonesian contingent’s location in the city of Adshit al-Qusayr in southern Lebanon.