PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are expressing concern for the six Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) troops who were injured in Lebanon as well as those deployed there.
In the incident, the six comprising five from Malbatt 850-12 and one from Malbatt 850-11 were injured when they were en route to the Marakah Camp from Beirut at 7.45pm Malaysian time (1.54pm Lebanese time) on Thursday (Nov 7).
Many who commented on posts about the incident said they were praying for all Malbatt members to remain safe while carrying out peacekeeping efforts in Lebanon.
Andrew Tai wrote that those sent to warzones must always prepare themselves well.
"In a war- torn zone, all personnel must be prepared for injuries & fatalities. Take precautions and care. God bless!" he commented on Facebook.
On X, Irfan_newboys (@Marchfoward) expressed dismay that the Malbatt personnel were injured not long after arriving in Lebanon.
"May God protect our Malaysian fighters in Lebanon," he posted.
On Instagram, @muzammil_shah94 said the attack on peacekeepers must violate some kind of international law.
"The United Nations cannot close their eyes to this," he posted.
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User @Lishalinee Pinkygirl said she would pray for those deployed to return home safely.
"It sounds scary. All of them also have families here," she said.
On Wednesday (Nov 6), the first Malbatt 850-12 deployment comprising 220 officers and personnel was sent to Lebanon for peacekeeping efforts.
Scheduled in stages from Nov 6 to 18, the full deployment will have a total strength of 854 officers and personnel, including a team from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces team and a civilian officer.
It was reported that one victim with a hand injury is being treated at the Hamood Hospital in Saida while five others with minor injuries safely reached Marakah Camp.
Meanwhile, the government has a contingency plan in case the situation in southern Lebanon worsens and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) decides to withdraw from the country.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin was quoted as saying that Malaysia and other nations remain committed to sending military personnel to Lebanon.
He added that his ministry was in close contact with Unifil for situational updates and also in consultation with other countries with military personnel there.
