UN's Initial Findings on the Death of Three TNI Soldiers in Lebanon
The United Nations (UN) has released the initial investigation results regarding the deaths of three TNI soldiers serving in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon (Unifil). One TNI soldier is said to have been killed by a tank projectile fired by the Israeli military.
“Regarding the incident on 29 March, based on the available evidence, including analysis of the impact location and particularly the projectile fragments found at the United Nations position 7-1, the projectile was a 120mm main tank round fired by an Israeli Defence Forces Merkava tank from the east towards Ett Taibe,” said UN Secretary-General’s Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric in a press conference, quoted from detikNews on Wednesday (8/4/2026).
Stephane stated that the other two TNI soldiers were killed by an improvised explosive device. The device is suspected to have been planted by the Hezbollah group.
“Regarding the incident on 30 March, based on the available evidence, including analysis of the explosion location, the affected vehicle, and the second improvised explosive device (IED) found nearby on the same day, the explosion was caused by an IED activated by the victim (tripwire). The investigation assesses that, given the location of the incident, the characteristics of the explosion, and the current context, the IED was most likely planted by Hezbollah,” he said.
He explained that these findings are from the initial investigation. Stephane said the UN is still conducting investigations into the events.
“I must reiterate that these are preliminary findings based on initial physical evidence. The full United Nations investigation process is ongoing, including the necessary procedures and engagement with relevant parties to fully understand the context and circumstances amid the ongoing hostilities,” he said.
“A Board of Inquiry will be established for both cases, in accordance with UN procedures,” he added.
The fallen soldiers are known to be Captain Inf Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, Staff Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ikhwan, and Private First Class Farizal Rhomadhon.
On Sunday (29/3), Private First Class Farizal Rhomadhon was killed after a projectile exploded near the village of Adchit al-Qusayr in southern Lebanon.
The following day, on Monday (30/3), the UN confirmed that two more TNI soldiers died after an explosion hit a UNIFIL logistics convoy. Meanwhile, two others were injured. The incident, according to the UN, occurred near Bani Hayyan in southern Lebanon.
Prabowo Strongly Condemns
President Prabowo Subianto has strongly condemned the incident that resulted in the deaths of the TNI members. Prabowo also expressed condolences over the loss of the three TNI soldiers.
“The Indonesian nation mourns the deaths of three TNI soldiers in their noble duty as UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon,” said Prabowo in his Instagram post, as seen on Sunday (5/4).
In the post, Prabowo included a photo of paying respects to the coffins of the fallen soldiers. Prabowo also posted a moment of shaking hands with the families of the TNI soldiers during the funeral procession.
“We, fellow countrymen, strongly condemn every heinous act that destroys peace and causes the deaths of our nation’s best soldiers, Major Inf (Posthumous) Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, Staff Sergeant (Posthumous) M. Nur Ichwan, Corporal (Posthumous) Farizal Rhomadhon,” Prabowo emphasised.