Two UN peacekeepers injured in Israeli fire

THE government on Friday confirmed two of its UN peacekeepers were injured in Israeli fire in Lebanon, and called the attack a violation of international law.

UN peacekeepers said Israeli troops opened fire on their headquarters in south Lebanon Thursday, injuring two Blue Helmets, and sparking condemnation.

Israel said it was targeting Hezbollah militants near UN posts in an operation that came after the peacekeeping mission rejected Israeli demands to “relocate” from some of its positions.

“In the attack on the tower in Nakura, two personnel were injured, and they were from Indonesia,” Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said.

She added the two peacekeepers had sustained light injuries and are in hospital for further observation.

“Indonesia strongly condemns the attack,” she said. “Attacking UN personnel and property is a major violation of International Humanitarian Law.”

She called on all parties to ensure respect for UN territory at all times and under all circumstances.

Indonesia, a staunch critic of Israel and supporter of Palestine, has around 1,232 personnel currently deployed with the UN mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL.

Meanwhile, A Thai agricultural worker was killed by an anti-tank missile fired into northern Israel, Israeli emergency services said on Friday, while the army confirmed that two civilians were injured in a strike from Lebanon.

Israel has been battling Hezbollah since the Iran-backed militant group started launching cross-border attacks from Lebanon in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas following the Oct 7, 2023 attack.

“Following an anti-tank missile strike on farmland in Upper Galilee, (rescue workers) declared the death of a 27-year-old Thai foreign worker,” according to a statement from emergency service provider Magen David Adom (MDA). — AFP