Escalation of the War in Lebanon, the Indonesian Government Prioritizes the Safety of TNI Personnel in UNIFIL

The Garuda UNIFIL Contingent after the release ceremony of the TNI Task Force Garuda UNIFIL 2025 at the Prima Field, TNI Headquarters, Cipayung, East Jakarta, Wednesday (9/4/2025). (ANTARA/Muhammad Adimaja/YU)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government ensures that the safety of Indonesian personnel who are part of the Garuda Contingent in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) continues to be a priority amid the escalation of Israel's attacks on Lebanon.

"The Indonesian government continues to closely monitor the development of the situation and its impact on the Garuda Contingent serving in UNIFIL," according to a written statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Jakarta, Saturday.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Indonesian Government always "ensures that the safety and security of peace-keeping force personnel is a priority in the current situation".

The Indonesian government expressed its appreciation for the integrity, professionalism, and dedication that the Garuda Contingent continues to maintain in carrying out its mandate with UNIFIL to maintain stability and peace in southern Lebanon, despite the increasing security threats as of today.

Indonesia also hopes that all members of the Garuda Contingent at UNIFIL will continue to be given safety in carrying out their duties, said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Furthermore, Indonesia expressed concern that the escalation of tensions not only occurred along the "Blue Line" demarcation line in southern Lebanon, but also in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.

Indonesia emphasizes that based on international law, all parties are responsible for ensuring the safety and security of UN personnel and property wherever they are, especially in Lebanon.

Thus, the Indonesian government strongly condemns the increase in Israeli attacks on Lebanon which have caused casualties and damage to infrastructure, as well as a serious violation of international law, said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Following the joint attack by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28, 2026, the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah launched an attack on a number of Israeli military points on March 2, which was immediately responded to by the Israeli military on the same day.

The tension that occurred on the Israel-Lebanon border reportedly caused the death of UNIFIL personnel from various countries who were hit by Israeli attacks.

On March 7, 2026, for example, a number of Ghanaian military personnel in UNIFIL were injured when Israel attacked their positions in southern Lebanon. A similar incident occurred again on March 14, in which the headquarters of the Nepalese battalion were reportedly hit by Israeli artillery fire.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Indonesia's concern over the attack on the UNIFIL post which caused a number of peacekeepers to be injured.