Understanding UNIFIL, the UN Peacekeeping Force Attacked by Israel in Lebanon
Deep sorrow envelops the homeland. An Indonesian National Army (TNI) soldier on a noble mission as a UN peacekeeper, Private First Class Farizal Romadhon, fell in the line of duty on Sunday, 29 March 2026. The soldier from Kulon Progo became a victim in an artillery attack that struck the Indonesian contingent’s position amid the armed conflict between the Israeli military and the Hezbollah group in southern Lebanon.
This tragic news was confirmed directly by the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Sugiono, while accompanying the President’s visit to Tokyo. As reported by detikNews, Sugiono stated, “As we all know, we have experienced an incident, and I convey my deepest condolences and sympathies for the passing of one of our soldiers named Private First Class Farizal Romadhon, who was serving with the UNIFIL contingent in Lebanon; he has fallen.”
The Foreign Minister also emphasised that the Indonesian government strongly condemns Israel’s attacks expanding into southern Lebanon and calls on all parties to return to the negotiating table.
In addition to claiming the life of Private First Class Farizal, the attack also injured other Indonesian soldiers. According to a report from The Straits Times, the incident occurred when a projectile exploded at one of UNIFIL’s positions near the village of Adchit al-Qusayr. UNIFIL itself has launched an investigation to determine the projectile’s origin.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, through his official account, strongly condemned the bloody incident that took place on that Sunday. Guterres warned that attacks on peacekeepers could be categorised as war crimes.
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its official account @Kemlu_RI, also detailed the chronology of the attack at the scene.
“Following indirect artillery fire around the Indonesian UNIFIL contingent’s position near Adchit Al Qusayr on 29 March 2026, amid reports of hostilities between the Israeli military and armed groups in southern Lebanon,” wrote the ministry, as quoted on Monday (30 March 2026).
This tragedy befalling the soldier from Kulon Progo has now become a serious concern for the international community. What exactly is UNIFIL, where Private First Class Farizal was deployed? Below is an overview.
Chronology of the Bloody Incident in Adchit Al Qusayr
As reported by The Straits Times, the incident that claimed the life of Private First Class Farizal Romadhon occurred on Sunday evening, 29 March 2026. Tensions escalated dramatically in southern Lebanon following intensive Israeli air and ground attacks. A projectile exploded right at one of the UN observation posts near the village of Adchit al-Qusayr. The explosion immediately killed one personnel and critically injured another.
“We do not know the origin of the projectile. We have launched an investigation to determine all the circumstances,” stated UNIFIL in its statement.
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that the explosion stemmed from indirect artillery fire amid the battle between the Israeli military and armed groups. Foreign Minister Sugiono, in a detikNews report, stated that the government has tasked the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut with immediately handling the preparation of the body.
“We have tasked our embassy in Beirut to continue monitoring our soldiers and prepare steps for the preparation of his body,” said Sugiono.
The plan is for the head of the Indonesian representation in New York to meet with the UN Under-Secretary-General on Monday morning local time to discuss the repatriation of the hero’s body from Kulon Progo.
The death of Private First Class Farizal occurred during a bloody weekend in Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes were also reported to have killed at least 10 paramedics and three journalists. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for full accountability for this incident, noting that attacks on peacekeepers are a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
History, Mandate, and Main Tasks of UNIFIL in Lebanon
Based on records from the official United Nations website, UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) has a long history that began in 1978. The force was established by the UN Security Council through Resolutions 425 and 426 in response to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon at that time. As reported on the United Nations Peacekeeping website, UNIFIL’s initial mission was to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in restoring its effective authority in the southern region.
However, this mandate underwent significant strengthening following the major crisis of 2006 through Resolution 1701. In its task narrative, UNIFIL is now responsible for intensively monitoring the cessation of hostilities and reporting any violations along the demarcation line. Soldiers in the field are tasked with assisting and supporting the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) throughout the southern region. One of the most crucial and dangerous missions is helping the LAF ensure that the area between the Blue Line (demarcation line) and the Litani River is free of armed personnel, assets, or weapons other than those of the official Lebanese government and UNIFIL itself.
In addition to routine patrols, UNIFIL also has a mandate to ensure humanitarian access for civilians and assist in the safe and voluntary return of refugees. In United Nations Peacekeeping documents, it is emphasised that UNIFIL is authorised to take necessary actions to ensure that its area of operations is not used for any hostile activities, and to protect personnel, facilities, and civilians under imminent threat of physical violence.
Indonesia Has the Second Largest Number of Soldiers in UNIFIL
In terms of personnel strength, Indonesia plays a vital and respected role in the eyes of the world. According to the latest data from the United Nations Peacekeeping website as of 23 March 2026, UNIFIL is reinforced by a total of 8,203 uniformed peacekeepers from 47 contributing countries.