UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon have been wounded in an "incident" near the Lebanese-Israeli border, a spokesperson for the force said today, without specifying the nature of the incident.
"There has been an incident involving peacekeepers near Bani Hayyan, and we have injuries," Kandice Ardiel said.
It comes a day after a UNIFIL peacekeeper was killed when a projectile exploded at one of its positions near the southern Lebanese village of Adchit al-Qusay, the UN peacekeeping mission said.
Another peacekeeper was critically injured in yesterday's incident, it said in a statement.
UNIFIL is stationed in southern Lebanon to monitor hostilities along the demarcation line with Israel - an area that is at the heart of clashes between Israeli troops and Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters.
The mission, which will be halted at the end of 2026, has been sporadically caught in the crosshairs of both Israel and Hezbollah over the last couple of years.
Indonesia's foreign ministry said the deceased peacekeeper was one of its citizens and that three others were injured by indirect artillery fire in the vicinity of the Indonesian UNIFIL contingent's position near Adchit al-Qusayr.
"We do not know the origin of the projectile.
We have launched an investigation to determine all of the circumstances," UNIFIL said.
A peacekeeper was tragically killed last night when a projectile exploded in a UNIFIL position near Adchit Al Qusayr.
Another was critically injured.
No one should ever lose their life serving the cause of peace.
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) March 29, 2026
On 6 March, Ghana's armed forces said the headquarters of its UN peacekeeping battalion in Lebanon was hit by missile attacks, leaving two soldiers critically injured.
Israel's military later acknowledged that its tank fire had hit a UN position in southern Lebanon that day, wounding the Ghanaian peacekeepers.
The military said its troops had responded to anti-tank missile fire from Hezbollah, which had moderately wounded two of its soldiers.
"Once again, we call on all actors to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times, including by refraining from actions that may put peacekeepers in danger," UNIFIL said.
Indonesia condemned the incident and said any harm to peacekeepers is unacceptable, while reiterating its condemnation "of Israel's attacks in Southern Lebanon".
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that he strongly condemns the killing and the "shocking escalation of violence that has injured a number of peacekeepers in recent days".
In a social media post, he said that "the role of the peacekeeper must be respected and honoured at all times".
"Both Israel and Hezbollah must do everything in their power to keep peacekeepers from harm.
I have been briefed by our Defence Forces and all Irish personnel serving in Lebanon continue to be well and accounted for," he said.
Lebanon was pulled into the war in the Middle East when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel on 2 March in solidarity with Tehran, two days after Iran was attacked by Israel and the United States.
Hezbollah's attack prompted a new Israeli offensive against the group.
The Irish UNIFIL area of responsibility ('The Irish AOR') includes the main urban centre in south Lebanon, Bint Jbeil.
Adchit al-Qusayr is about 25km from Bint Jbeil.
I strongly condemn Sunday's incident during which an Indonesian peacekeeper of @UNIFIL_ was killed amidst hostilities between Israel & Hizbullah.
Another Indonesian peacekeeper was seriously injured in the same incident.
My deepest condolences to the family, friends &… — António Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 30, 2026
A UN battalion led by Irish officers operates a large base called Camp Shamrock near Bint Jbeil and two outposts called UNP 6-50 and UNP 6-52, near the border towns of Maroun El-Ras and Yaroun.
In August last year, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to end its peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon after nearly five decades, following pressure from the United States and Israel to wind down the force.
UNIFIL will remain in place under a final mandate until 31 December 2026.
Óglaigh na hÉireann can confirm that a Polish member of IRISHPOLBATT has sustained minor injuries after their patrol was targeted by a roadside device which detonated as their vehicle passed it.
Irish personnel of the Quick Reaction Force were launched immediately to secure the… pic.twitter.com/2hcDJkdJfl — Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) March 29, 2026
The mission has been sporadically caught in the crosshairs of both Israel and Hezbollah over the last couple of years.
Recent incidents underscored the risks.
On 6 March, Ghana's armed forces said the headquarters of its UN peacekeeping battalion in Lebanon was hit by missile attacks, leaving two soldiers critically injured.
Israel's military later acknowledged that its tank fire had hit a UN position in southern Lebanon that day, wounding the Ghanaian peacekeepers.
The military said its troops had responded to anti-tank missile fire from Hezbollah, which had moderately wounded two of its soldiers.
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Source: This article was originally published by RTÉ News
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