Enviro News Asia, New York — Indonesia has initiated a joint statement at the United Nations calling for comprehensive protection of peacekeeping forces, particularly those serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, amid escalating security threats in Lebanon.
The statement was delivered by Umar Hadi during a media stakeout at the UN Headquarters in New York on April 9, 2026, in a joint appearance with France.
As of 4:30 p.m. local time, the initiative had received support from 72 countries, including UNIFIL troop-contributing nations and other member states, as well as the European Union.
The joint statement strongly condemned a series of attacks targeting UN peacekeepers, including incidents on March 29 and 30 that resulted in the deaths of three Indonesian personnel and injuries to peacekeepers from France, Ghana, Indonesia, Nepal, and Poland.
The Indonesian envoy emphasized that ensuring the safety and security of UN peacekeepers is an obligation under international law. He stressed that peacekeepers must never be targeted, noting that such attacks violate UN protections and Security Council resolutions and may constitute war crimes.
Participating countries urged the United Nations and the UN Security Council to take all necessary measures to enhance protection for peacekeeping personnel in increasingly dangerous operational environments.
They also called for prompt, transparent, and comprehensive investigations into all attacks, along with regular updates to troop-contributing countries regarding the progress and findings.
The appeal aligns with UN Security Council Resolutions 2518 and 2589, which underscore accountability for attacks against peacekeepers.
In addition, Indonesia and supporting countries expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Lebanon, highlighting civilian casualties, widespread infrastructure damage, and the displacement of more than one million people.
They urged all parties to return to a ceasefire, respect UN Security Council Resolution 1701, de-escalate tensions, and resume negotiations.
According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the joint statement was initiated in response to the deteriorating security conditions in Lebanon, which have directly impacted Indonesian peacekeepers deployed under UNIFIL. (*)
