Three United Nations peacekeepers from Indonesia have been killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said, prompting Jakarta to call for an urgent UN Security Council meeting and demand better protection for peacekeeping personnel.
UNIFIL reported that two peacekeepers were killed and two others wounded by an explosion near Bani Hayyan on Monday. In a separate incident late on Sunday, a projectile struck near an Indonesian position close to Adchit al-Qusayr, killing another soldier and critically wounding a colleague. Indonesia’s Defense Ministry spokesman Rico Ricardo Sirait said the safety of peacekeepers must be the “top priority” and urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law. Foreign Minister Sugiono described the attacks as “heinous,” said he had discussed the deaths with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and formally requested an emergency Security Council meeting. Lebanon’s foreign minister conveyed condolences and condemned the attack, praising the Indonesian contingent’s role in maintaining stability.
The developments come amid a widening regional conflagration following the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which entered its second month. The conflict has seen strikes across the region, including attacks on infrastructure and commercial shipping. Kuwait’s state news agency reported a fully loaded Kuwaiti oil tanker anchored off Dubai was hit, causing a fire that Dubai authorities later said had been extinguished; the crew of 24 were reported safe. Kuwait Petroleum warned of a possible oil spill.
Iranian officials said US and Israeli strikes destroyed a desalination plant on Qeshm Island and damaged a major pharmaceutical facility producing life-saving medicines, including anti-cancer and anesthetic drugs. Rights groups and observers have warned that targeting civilian infrastructure such as water supplies could cause catastrophic humanitarian harm and may violate international law.
Regional and international responses have varied. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry called for de-escalation and urged all parties to refrain from attacking energy and nuclear infrastructure, saying the Strait of Hormuz’s future should be decided by the whole region. Beijing said China and Pakistan would “strengthen” coordination over the Iran situation and advocate for peace. Meanwhile, Italy denied the US military landing rights at Sigonella air base in Sicily after Washington reportedly signaled plans to use the facility for operations related to Iran; Rome said treaty terms require prior authorization.
The crisis is also reverberating through global markets and domestic politics. Eurozone inflation rose to 2.5% in March from 1.9% in February, driven largely by a sharp rise in energy costs linked to tensions and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Poland enacted a temporary law capping petrol prices and lowering VAT on fuels to blunt the impact on consumers. Two Cosco container ships successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz after earlier attempts were impeded, according to MarineTraffic.
On the ground in Lebanon, the fighting has been intense. Israel said four of its soldiers were killed and two wounded during combat in southern Lebanon, where its forces are engaged with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. UNIFIL and regional authorities have repeatedly warned that civilian populations and peacekeeping personnel face growing risk as hostilities continue.
US President Donald Trump reportedly told aides he might accept ending the campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remained partially closed, prioritizing strikes against Iranian missiles and naval capabilities before seeking diplomatic pressure to reopen the waterway. The White House has also threatened further strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, including Kharg Island, a move legal experts caution could amount to war crimes if civilian harm is not avoided.
Indonesia’s call for an emergency UN Security Council meeting underscores concern among troop-contributing countries and the UN about protecting peacekeepers and preventing the conflict from spreading further across the Middle East.