One United Nations peacekeeper in Southern Lebanon was killed overnight, prompting condemnation on Monday after journalists and paramedics were killed in Israeli airstrikes earlier this week. The peacekeeper, an Indonesian national, is the first member of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to be killed in the war between Israel and Hezbollah that began on March 2. UNIFIL reported that the peacekeeper was killed by an explosion of a shell at one of its posts near the village of Adaisseh Qasir in southern Lebanon on Sunday. "We have initiated an investigation to determine all the circumstances of the incident," UNIFIL stated. Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Monday that the deceased peacekeeper was an Indonesian citizen, adding that three others were injured by indirect artillery fire near the Indonesian battalion of UNIFIL in Adaisseh Qasir. Indonesia condemned the incident, stating that any harm to peacekeepers is unacceptable and reiterated its condemnation of "Israeli attacks in Southern Lebanon." UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the incident, saying that attacks on peacekeepers constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes. It was also reported that another peacekeeper was seriously injured. In a statement, he said, "We do not know the source of the shell." He called for accountability and urged all parties to ensure the safety of UN personnel.
