Serbian UN peacekeeper killed in southern Lebanon
Serbia's defence ministry said the peacekeeper was Serbian and stated that he died from injuries suffered in a missile strike on the UN base.
A deadly strike on a UN peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon has left one peacekeeper dead and two others injured, underscoring the mounting danger surrounding the mission as violence intensifies across the border region.
“A UNIFIL peacekeeper died early this morning from critical injuries sustained when mortar shells struck his position,” the force said in a statement, adding that an investigation is now under way.
- Advertisement -
Serbia’s defence ministry said the peacekeeper was Serbian and stated that he died from injuries suffered in a missile strike on the UN base.
“Senior Sergeant Milovan Jovanovic was given emergency medical care at a hospital inside the base after being wounded and then transported by helicopter to the University Medical Center in Beirut, where he died,” the statement said.
In a statement it said that the situation is south Lebanon “remains highly volatile, but all Irish personnel are well and accounted for”.
It said personnel from the 128th Infantry Battalion are continuing to use force protection measures that allow them to observe and monitor the ongoing conflict in line with UNSCR 1701.
“Óglaigh na hÉireann remains resolute in its commitment to UNIFIL.”
UNIFIL said two other peacekeepers were also wounded in the attack and are receiving treatment at a medical facility on the base.
It said the peacekeeper was airlifted to a hospital in Beirut after the incident but later died from his injuries. UNIFIL has opened an investigation to determine the precise circumstances that led to the strike.
It added that it has recorded a growing number of trajectories and impacts across south Lebanon.
It said: “the violence must end. We reiterate our 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. We also call on relevant national authorities to investigate the incident, bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure criminal accountability.
“Deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701, and may amount to war crimes.”
