New Delhi | April 02, 2026 — India has officially condemned the recent surge in violence against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which resulted in the deaths of three Indonesian peacekeepers this week. Speaking at a weekly briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized the “inviolability” of UN missions and demanded the safety of international troops.
The Incidents in Southern Lebanon
The condemnation follows a series of high-intensity strikes in southern Lebanon amidst an ongoing Israeli ground offensive:
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March 29: One Indonesian peacekeeper was killed when a projectile struck the UNIFIL base in Ett Taibe.
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March 30: Two more Indonesian peacekeepers were killed, and two others injured, following an explosion that hit a UNIFIL logistics convoy.
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The Toll: Total fatalities for the mission reached three within 48 hours, prompting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
India’s Stance: Safety and Accountability
As the fourth-largest contributor to UNIFIL with over 640 troops currently deployed, India has a significant stake in the mission’s security.
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Accountability: Citing UN Security Council Resolution 2589, India is calling for strict accountability for crimes committed against peacekeepers.
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Diplomatic Balance: While Indonesia has explicitly blamed Israeli strikes for the deaths, India’s official statements have focused on the broader principle of peacekeeper safety without naming specific actors in the recent incidents.
UN Response and Investigation
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the head of UN peace operations, confirmed in New York that UNIFIL is conducting a formal investigation into the “tragic developments.”
“Peacekeepers must never be a target. We remain seriously concerned about several aggressive behavior incidents against UNIFIL peacekeepers in the past couple of days.” — Jean-Pierre Lacroix
Context: What is UNIFIL?
Established in 1978, UNIFIL was created to:
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Confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.
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Restore international peace and security.
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Assist the Lebanese government in re-establishing effective authority in the region.
With nearly 8,000 peacekeepers from 50 countries currently stationed in the volatile border region, the recent fatalities represent one of the most significant threats to the mission’s stability in recent years.
