UN Condemnation Follows Death of Indonesian Peacekeeper in Israeli Attack

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) are mourning the death of one soldier and injuries to three others in an Israeli artillery attack in Lebanon. The Indonesian government has strongly condemned the attack.

The attack, resulting from escalation between the Israeli military (IDF) and Hezbollah, occurred on Sunday (29/3) at the UNIFIL headquarters near Adchit Al Qusayr in southern Lebanon. The victims are from Yonif 113/Jaya Sakti (JS) of the 25th Infantry Brigade/Siwah, Kodam Iskandar Muda (IM), Aceh.

The fallen soldier was Praka Farizal Rhomadhon, serving as Taban Provost 1 of the Provost Company Headquarters (Kima) of Yonif 113/JS. He leaves behind a wife and a 2-year-old child.

Praka Farizal’s body is being laid to rest at the East Sector Headquarters (HQ) and is undergoing administrative processing for repatriation to Indonesia with assistance from the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut.

The three other soldiers injured are Rico Pramudia, Bayu Prakoso, and Arif Kurniawan. All three are receiving medical treatment.

“Praka Rico Pramudia suffered serious injuries, while Praka Bayu Prakoso and Prka Arif Kurniawan sustained minor injuries and are currently receiving medical attention,” said TNI’s Head of Information, Major General Aulia Dwi Narsullah, on Monday (30/3).

The two soldiers with minor injuries are being treated at UNIFIL’s Level I Hospital. Meanwhile, Prka Rico has been evacuated by helicopter to St. George Hospital in Beirut for further medical treatment.

Aulia stated that the TNI is committed to carrying out its duties as part of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in a professional and responsible manner, prioritising the safety of its soldiers. The TNI is also continuously monitoring the situation on the ground and preparing contingency measures in line with the dynamics in the Lebanese area of operations.

“With the increasing escalation in Lebanon, the TNI has taken steps to heighten vigilance in accordance with UNIFIL’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The incident occurred amid artillery exchanges and it is not yet confirmed which party directly caused it. The investigation is still being conducted by UNIFIL,” he said.

UN Strongly Condemns Attack Killing TNI Soldier

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the incident. He expressed his deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased peacekeeper, as well as to Indonesia. Guterres also wished for the injured peacekeepers to recover fully.

“I strongly condemn the Sunday incident that killed an Indonesian peacekeeper from @UNIFIL_ amid hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Another Indonesian peacekeeper was seriously injured in the same incident,” stated UN Secretary-General António Guterres on his X account on Monday (30/3).

“This is just one of several recent incidents that have endangered the safety and security of peacekeepers,” Guterres continued.

Foreign Minister Requests UNIFIL Investigation

Foreign Minister Sugiono expressed condolences over the soldier’s passing. Sugiono also strongly condemned the Israeli attacks extending into southern Lebanon.

“As we all know, we have experienced an incident and I convey my deepest condolences over the death of one of our soldiers named Prka Farizal Rhomadhon, who was serving as a UNIFIL contingent in Lebanon; he has fallen,” Sugiono told reporters on the sidelines of accompanying the president’s visit to Tokyo, Japan, on Monday (30/3).

“I also strongly condemn this incident and the attacks carried out by Israel in southern Lebanon,” he added.

Sugiono urged all parties to take de-escalation steps and prioritise negotiations at the negotiating table. “I again call on all parties to de-escalate and return to negotiation tables,” he said.

Sugiono assessed that the war in the West Asia or Middle East region has had a massive global impact. He mentioned that President Prabowo Subianto has initiated steps as a mediator in the conflict to achieve a ceasefire agreement.

“Because what has happened in that region over the past month has had an extraordinarily large impact. And the President has also offered to act as a mediator, so that efforts towards de-escalation and ceasefire can be undertaken,” he said.

Furthermore, Sugiono requested that UNIFIL conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. “Then, requesting a full investigation from UNIFIL to find the source of this incident,” he said.

In addition, Sugiono said he has asked the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut to monitor the soldiers’ conditions and handle the processing of Prka Rizal’s body.

“We have tasked our embassy in Beirut to continue monitoring our soldiers and prepare steps for the preparation of his body, and on Monday morning New York time, the head of the Indonesian representation in New York at the UN will meet with the UN Under-Secretary-General in charge of the peacekeeping task force to discuss issues regarding the return or preparation of our soldier’s body,” he said.

UNIFIL Conducts Investigation

UNIFIL also expressed its deepest condolences over the incident. UNIFIL is investigating the origin of the projectile from the attack.

“We do not know the origin of the projectile. We have launched an investigation to determine all the circumstances,” UNIFIL stated in its statement on the UNIFIL_Lebanon Telegram channel on Monday (30/3).

UNIFIL stated there was a projectile explosion at their headquarters near Adchit Al Qusayr in southern Lebanon on Sunday (29/3). The attack also injured three others, one of whom is in critical condition.

“One other suffered critical injuries. No one should lose their life while carrying out duties for peace,” it said.