UNIFIL Holds Final Honors and Releases the Bodies of Three TNI Soldiers Who Died in Lebanon

JAKARTA - The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) held a final tribute and release ceremony for three TNI soldiers who died in Lebanon to be flown home.

Three TNI soldiers who were part of the Yonmek TNI Konga XXIII-S/UNIFIL Task Force, Captain Inf. Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, Sertu Muhammad Nur and Praka Farizal Rhomadhon were killed while carrying out peacekeeping duties in Lebanon.

The ceremony to release and honor the bodies of the three Indonesian peacekeepers was held at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon on Friday (2/4).

The ceremony was led directly by the Force Commander of UNIFIL, Major General Diodato Abagnara from Italy, as a form of the last tribute to their services and dedication in maintaining world peace.

"In this atmosphere of great concern, the Indonesian government continues to coordinate closely with the United Nations (UN) to ensure that the repatriation process can take place quickly, safely, and smoothly," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote in its statement, Friday (3/4).

"The repatriation of the remains is expected to be carried out in the first week of April 2026," continued the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "the repatriation process in a conflict situation has its own challenges. In normal conditions, the journey from Beirut to Jakarta takes at least 17 hours."

"However, at this time, the intensity of contact weapons at various points in the region, including as a result of the increasing Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, not only causes movement limitations, but also makes every step a gamble on safety," the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs added, "The Government of the Republic of Indonesia reaffirms its commitment to ensure that the repatriation process runs as smoothly as possible. Repatriation is the last form of respect for the fallen soldiers, as well as the state's responsibility to the families left behind."

"Their dedication is part of Indonesia's commitment to maintaining world peace as mandated by the opening of the 1945 Constitution. The flood of expressions of sorrow and international support for Indonesia is proof of their success in raising the dignity and dignity of the Indonesian nation in the eyes of the world," explained the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It is known that Praka Farizal was killed by a projectile explosion near the UNIFIL facility in Adchit Al Qusayr on March 29. The incident also caused Praka Rico Pramudia, Praka Bayu Prakoso and Praka Arif Kurniawan to be injured.

In the next 24 hours, two TNI soldiers on behalf of Captain Inf. Zulmi Aditya Iskandar and Sertu Muhammad Nur Ichwan were killed by an explosion that hit a UN convoy near Bani Hayyan in the Monday attack. Meanwhile, two others, Lettu Inf Sulthan Wirdean Maulana and Praka Deni Rianto were injured.