A United Nations peacekeeper has been killed and another critically injured after a projectile struck a position of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) near the southern Lebanese village of Adchit al-Qusayr, the mission confirmed early Monday.

UNIFIL said the explosion occurred on Sunday, adding that the origin of the projectile remains unknown. An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, which underscores growing risks to peacekeepers operating along one of the Middle East’s most volatile frontlines.

Indonesia’s foreign ministry later confirmed that the fallen peacekeeper was one of its nationals. Three other Indonesian personnel were also injured by indirect artillery fire near their contingent’s position. Jakarta expressed condolences to the bereaved family and said efforts are underway to repatriate the deceased while ensuring the wounded receive the best possible medical care.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family, and we wish a full and swift recovery to the injured personnel,” the ministry said, strongly condemning the attack and calling for a full investigation. It stressed that the safety and security of UN peacekeepers must be respected “at all times.”

According to The Jakarta Post, Indonesian authorities also reiterated their broader concern over escalating violence in southern Lebanon, condemning attacks that put international peacekeepers at risk while urging all parties to adhere to international law.

UNIFIL, deployed to monitor hostilities along the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel, has increasingly found itself caught in crossfire between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Hezbollah. The mission is scheduled to conclude its operations by the end of 2026.

The latest incident follows a similar episode earlier this month. On March 6, two Ghanaian peacekeepers were critically injured when a UN position was struck during hostilities. Israel’s military later acknowledged that its tank fire had hit the site while responding to anti-tank missile attacks from Hezbollah.

Tensions in the area have escalated sharply since early March, when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in what it described as solidarity with Iran following reported strikes by Israeli and US forces. The exchange triggered renewed Israeli offensives in southern Lebanon, further destabilizing the border region.

“We do not know the origin of the projectile,” UNIFIL said, renewing calls for all actors to uphold international law and avoid actions that endanger peacekeepers and UN facilities.

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