Mar 30, 2026 (V7N) – UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon reported the death of two Indonesian peacekeepers on Monday in the second deadly incident in 24 hours in southern Lebanon, where Israel and Hezbollah have been engaged in fierce fighting.

According to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the two peacekeepers were killed when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle, while two others were wounded, one critically. This incident follows another deadly attack on Sunday, when a projectile exploded near a UNIFIL position, killing one Indonesian peacekeeper and injuring three others.

Israel-Hezbollah Conflict Intensifies

In the same region, Lebanon’s army confirmed that an Israeli strike killed one of its soldiers, marking a direct attack on a military checkpoint in the Tyre region of southern Lebanon. This strike was significant as it marked the first direct targeting of an army checkpoint since the war began. Hezbollah, in retaliation, claimed to have carried out a series of attacks on Israeli targets in southern Lebanon and across the border, including an assault on an intelligence base on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.

The conflict began when Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group, launched rockets at Israel on March 2, in retaliation for the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Israel’s response has been extensive, with broad airstrikes across Lebanon and a ground offensive in the southern parts of the country. The violence has already claimed over 1,200 lives in Lebanon since the conflict erupted.

UN Investigations and Condemnations

The UNIFIL has launched an investigation into the deaths of the peacekeepers, as tensions escalate in the region. Israel’s military has also announced that it will investigate the incidents to determine if they were the result of Hezbollah activity or if they stemmed from the actions of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, strongly condemned the attacks on peacekeepers, emphasizing that “all acts that endanger peacekeepers must stop.” France, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, called for a meeting over the attacks, while Spain also condemned the killings.

Lebanese President Calls for Peace

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the targeting of UN peacekeeping forces in a phone call with UNIFIL's Commander. Aoun has been conducting international outreach in a bid to broker discussions with Israel to de-escalate tensions. Meanwhile, the UN’s special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, called for an immediate truce to halt the ongoing devastation and prevent further loss of life.

Israeli Strikes Continue in Lebanon

Israel’s military continued its assault on southern Lebanon, including Beirut’s southern suburbs. The latest strike targeted an apartment building in Bir Hassan district, killing three Hezbollah members and wounding others. Despite the ongoing military operations, most of the residents of Beirut's southern suburbs have fled due to intense Israeli bombardment.

Israel also confirmed airstrikes targeting Hezbollah’s command centers, further intensifying the fight between the two sides. The Israeli military said it had killed a deputy commander responsible for coordinating activities between Hezbollah and Palestinian factions operating in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, and the West Bank.

Hezbollah’s Retaliation

Hezbollah confirmed it had launched retaliatory attacks on Israeli targets, including intelligence bases. The militant group claimed to be engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces in Ainata, a town in southern Lebanon. Israel confirmed that one Israeli soldier was killed during fighting in this region, raising the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon to six this month.

Global and Regional Impact

The ongoing conflict has drawn widespread international concern, especially with the involvement of UN peacekeepers and the loss of civilian lives in Lebanon and Israel. The regional instability has further strained relations between Israel and its neighbors, while global powers continue to monitor the situation closely. The humanitarian crisis is deepening as the war has already caused thousands of casualties and displaced countless civilians.

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