Jakarta. Indonesia is planning to repatriate the remains of the three UN peacekeepers who were killed in southern Lebanon later this week.

On March 29-30, three Indonesian blue helmets serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) lost their lives to two separate blasts. The peacekeepers have been facing increased risks amid intense clashes between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militants Hezbollah. According to Defense Ministry spokesman Rico Ricardo Sirait, their remains are currently at a local hospital.

“We are preparing for the bodies’ repatriation. The departure will likely take place either Friday or Saturday,” Rico told a press briefing in Jakarta. 

Rico also cited the “limited flights” amid rising tensions in the Gulf. The government will make further announcements on the fixed date.

The deaths have ignited worldwide condemnation and even prompted a UN Security Council emergency session on Tuesday local time. Indonesian permanent representative Umar Hadi was also in the room. He started Indonesia’s statement by reading aloud the names, ages, and ranks of the fallen blue helmets: Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, Muhammad Nur Ichwan, and Farizal Rhomadhon. Jakarta then urged “all relevant actors to ensure a prompt, safe, and dignified repatriation”. 

Indonesia also rejects excuses after Israel went on a defensive mode by pinning the blame on Hezbollah.

“We demand investigation by the UN, not excuses from Israel,” Umar said.

“We demand that the perpetrators be held legally accountable. Immunity must not become the standard. Attacks against peacekeepers must not be repeated nor tolerated.”

Farizal was the first UNIFIL victim in the consecutive days of fatal attacks. A projectile fell on the UNIFIL position where he was on late Sunday (March 29). Zulmi and Ichwan lost their lives when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their convoy vehicle on Monday morning. Lebanon was dragged into the spillover from the US-Israel-versus-Iran war. The Tehran-backed Hezbollah had fired missiles at Israel in response to the killing of Iran’s then-supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

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