UN peacekeeper killed in Lebanon as Israeli strikes continue

A United Nations peacekeeper was killed and another critically injured in southern Lebanon after a projectile struck a UN position near Adchit al-Qusayr, Reuters reported on March 30th.

The Indonesian peacekeeper was killed when a missile exploded at a UNIFIL base. The mission said it had opened an investigation and did not yet know where the projectile came from.

Indonesia’s foreign ministry confirmed the death and said three other members of the UN mission were injured by indirect artillery fire near the same site. It said any harm to UN personnel was unacceptable and condemned Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes. He called for accountability and urged all sides to protect UN personnel.

The United Nations said its peacekeepers remain deployed in southern Lebanon despite the escalation.

Fighting between Israeli forces and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has continued across southern Lebanon.

Israeli strikes on March 30th hit several towns in the south and Beirut’s southern suburbs.

More than 1,200 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities. The dead include more than 120 children, nearly 80 women and dozens of paramedics.

At least 10 paramedics were killed over the weekend in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, the Lebanese health ministry said. Three journalists were also killed in a strike on their car on March 29th.

The Israeli military has said some paramedics and journalists killed in strikes were linked to Hezbollah, but has not provided public evidence.

Lebanese authorities have denied that medical or media workers are used for military purposes and described those targeted as civilians.

The escalation began on March 2nd, when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel after Israel and the United States attacked Iran.

Israel has since launched ground and air operations in southern Lebanon and said it aims to establish a buffer zone extending to the Litani River.

Reuters, United Nations News, Maghrebi.org