JAKARTA - Terrorism and Middle East observers criticized the government's diplomacy amid the conflict between Israel, Iran, and Lebanon, following the deaths of three Indonesian National Army (TNI) soldiers.
Two TNI soldiers were declared dead during a logistics convoy of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) near Bani Hayyan, Monday (30/3/2026) local time. The explosion of unknown origin destroyed the vehicle that the TNI soldiers were riding.
"The explosion on the vehicle resulted in the death of TNI soldiers on behalf of Captain Inf Zulmi Aditya Iskandar and Sertu Muhammad Nur Ichwan and two others were injured, namely Lettu Inf Sulthan Wirdean Maulana and Praka Deni Rianto have been evacuated and are undergoing medical treatment at St. George Hospital. Beirut, Lebanon," said Head of the TNI Information Center, Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah.
A day earlier, an attack on the UNIFIL base in El Tayeb also claimed the life of one TNI soldier, Praka Farizal Rhomadhon. He died after a projectile exploded near one of the group's positions near Adchit al-Qusayr Village in South Lebanon.
Sunday's attack was the first time UN peacekeepers have been killed in the new war between Israel and Hezbollah that erupted on March 2.
Military and intelligence observer Susaningtyas Nefo Handayani Kertopati said Israel's attack on UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon violated international humanitarian law, UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006), and the principle of protection of UN personnel.
In addition, he explained, under international humanitarian law, attacks on UN peacekeepers who are not involved in the conflict are serious violations, as emphasized by the UN Secretary-General.
The woman, who is familiarly called Nuning, said that direct and indirect attacks that damaged UN facilities and injured personnel, including the Garuda Contingent of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, were violations of the safety of peacekeepers. "The TNI must seek further protection for the TNI UNIFIL troops so that there will be no violations by any party to any provisions that have been agreed upon with the UN," he said.
For this reason, he urged that an investigation be carried out in a transparent manner so as not to harm the Indonesian party.
Meanwhile, terrorism and Middle East observer Islah Bahrawi criticized the Indonesian government. He said the Indonesian government's diplomatic position in the midst of the Israel, Lebanon, and Iran conflicts was still gray or unclear.
Islah assessed that the fall of the victim from TNI personnel showed weaknesses in the process of analysis and mapping conflicts by the government.
"This happened because of the weakness of the analysis of our nation, our government, in mapping, mapping, profiling, and data collection process of what happened in Lebanon," said Islah.
Currently, according to Islah, Indonesia is not in a position of standing in the Middle East conflict. So this has an impact on the safety of soldiers in the field and Indonesia's prestige in the eyes of the international community.
"Our government today is standing in a position that is not clear. Either he rejects the war or he supports the war, it is not clear. Since the beginning of the attack on Iran by America, we have not given any condemnation, we have not reacted at all," he said.
Psychological Impact of the Israeli ArmyHe also regretted the government's attitude which tends to only condemn the attack rhetorically without daring to point out the party directly responsible.
"It should be directed directly to Israel. Condemn Israel for attacking our peacekeepers in Lebanon. Don't play too much rhetoric as if you were condemning the attack, but directly well-defined to Israel," he added.
The incident of the attack on UNIFIL also received attention from international relations observers from Padjadjaran University Teuku Rezasyah. According to him, the Indonesian government must conduct a serious evaluation, especially regarding the policy of sending peacekeepers abroad, following the death of the TNI soldier.
"The death of TNI members in this barbaric Israeli action should wake up the Indonesian government and people, to really re-examine the sending of peacekeepers within the framework of the International Stabilization Force (ISF)," added Reza.
The psychological condition of the Israeli troops involved in the prolonged conflict is also not spared from the spotlight. Reza suspects that this can affect actions on the ground. The longer the conflict lasts, according to Reza, the risk of psychological stress among the Israeli military will increase.
"Thus, the potential for procedural irregularities in the field is likely to recur," said Reza.
"The longer the war with Iran lasts, the more psychological problems there will be among Israeli soldiers at all levels," he said.
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