UN troops injured in Lebanon a day after peacekeeper was killed
The mission said a second peacekeeper was critically injured in that incident.
Violence along the Lebanese-Israeli border has struck UN peacekeepers again, with members of the force wounded in an “incident” near Bani Hayyan, according to a spokesperson, in the latest blow to a mission increasingly exposed to the conflict.
“There has been an incident involving peacekeepers near Bani Hayyan, and we have injuries,” Kandice Ardiel said.
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The development follows the death of a UNIFIL peacekeeper yesterday after a projectile detonated at one of the mission’s positions near the southern Lebanese village of Adchit al-Qusay, the UN peacekeeping force said.
The mission said a second peacekeeper was critically injured in that incident.
The force, which is due to end in late 2026, has repeatedly found itself in the line of fire from both Israel and Hezbollah over the past two years.
Indonesia’s foreign ministry said the peacekeeper who was killed was one of its citizens and that three others were wounded by indirect artillery fire near the Indonesian UNIFIL contingent’s position close to 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
The danger facing the mission was underscored earlier this month. On 6 March, Ghana’s armed forces said missile strikes hit the headquarters of its UN peacekeeping battalion in Lebanon, critically injuring two soldiers.
Israel’s military later said tank fire from its forces had struck a UN position in southern Lebanon that day, wounding the Ghanaian peacekeepers.
It said its troops had been responding after Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles, moderately wounding two Israeli 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 latest incident, calling any attack on peacekeepers unacceptable, and repeated its condemnation “of Israel’s attacks in Southern Lebanon”.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he strongly condemns the killing and what he described as a “shocking escalation of violence that has injured a number of peacekeepers in recent days”.
In a social media post, he said “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 drawn deeper into the Middle East war 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. That barrage triggered a fresh Israeli offensive against the group.
The Irish UNIFIL area of responsibility (‘The Irish AOR’) includes Bint Jbeil, the main urban centre in south Lebanon.
Adchit al-Qusayr lies 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
An Irish-led UN battalion operates Camp Shamrock near Bint Jbeil, along with two outposts, UNP 6-50 and UNP 6-52, near the border towns of Maroun El-Ras and Yaroun.
Last August, after nearly 50 years on the ground, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to bring the peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon to an end, following pressure from the United States and Israel to scale back the operation.
UNIFIL is set to remain 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
Over the past couple of years, the mission has intermittently been caught between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.
A string of recent attacks has highlighted just how exposed peacekeepers have become.
On 6 March, Ghana’s armed forces said missile strikes hit the headquarters of its UN peacekeeping battalion in Lebanon, leaving two soldiers critically injured.
Israel’s military later said its tank fire had struck a UN position in southern Lebanon that day, wounding the Ghanaian peacekeepers.
The military said its troops had acted in response to anti-tank missile fire from Hezbollah, which had moderately wounded two of its soldiers.