Jakarta. An Indonesian peacekeeper serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, was killed in an indirect artillery fire over the weekend, as Jakarta demanded an investigation.

The UNIFIL reported that a projectile exploded in its position close to the Adchit Al Qusayr on late Sunday. It still can’t determine the origin of the projectile, although the UNIFIL is now investigating the incident. The mission has been in the crosshairs of Israel’s war with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

“Indonesia strongly condemns the incident and calls for a thorough and transparent investigation,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Vahd Nabyl A Mulachela told the Jakarta Globe on Monday.

Southeast Asia’s biggest economy is working with UNIFIL to repatriate the deceased as soon as possible. Three other Indonesian personnel had sustained injuries, one of whom is severely wounded. Jakarta said it would ensure the “best possible medical treatment for the injured”. 

Indonesia went on to highlight that everyone must fully respect UN peacekeepers’ safety and security “at all times”.

“Any harm to peacekeepers is unacceptable and undermines collective efforts to maintain peace and stability,” Nabyl said. 

Indonesia repeated its condemnations of Israel’s attacks in southern Lebanon, while calling for a stop to the strikes against civilian populations and infrastructure. In a similar tone, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also “strongly condemned” the incident. 

"I call on all to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times," Guterres said.

As of March 23, Indonesia has deployed 756 UNIFIL peacekeepers, making Jakarta the second-biggest contributor to the mission. Italy topped the list with 774 personnel.

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