Two Indonesian peacekeepers serving with UNIFIL have been killed in southern Lebanon, bringing to three the number of Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeepers killed in southern Lebanon in the past 24 hours.
According to a UNIFIL statement, an "explosion of unknown origin" destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan.
A third peacekeeper was severely injured and a fourth was also hurt.
It follows another incident yesterday, in which another Indonesian peacekeeper was killed, and one injured.
The head of UN Peacekeeping Jean-Pierre Lacroix said UNIFIL was investigating the incidents.
"I expressed my deepest condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers and the government of Indonesia, and I wish a full recovery to those injured," he told reporters at UN headquarters.
"We strongly condemn these unacceptable incidents," he said.
"Peacekeepers must never be a target."
Asked about the expansion of the Israeli military offensive in Lebanon, Mr Lacroix said it was difficult to "speculate on the final intent", adding that he "cannot speak on behalf of the Israeli authorities or the IDF".
"But based on what we're seeing, as well as several statements emanating from the Israeli authorities and also the orders for evacuation of civilians," he said, "it certainly looks like we might end up with, I would call it, an expanded buffer zone in southern Lebanon".
The Irish Defence Forces confirmed all Irish personnel are well and accounted for.
It condemned the attack and extended sympathies to the families of those killed.
Two UNIFIL peacekeepers were tragically killed in south Lebanon today, when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan. A third peacekeeper was severely injured, and a fourth was also hurt.
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) March 30, 2026
Yesterday, a UNIFIL peacekeeper was killed when a projectile exploded at one of its positions near the southern Lebanese village of Adchit al-Qusay, the UN peacekeeping mission said.
Another peacekeeper was critically injured in yesterday's incident, UNIFIL said in a statement.
UNIFIL is stationed in southern Lebanon to monitor hostilities along the demarcation line with Israel - an area that is at the heart of clashes between Israeli troops and Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters.
The mission, which will be halted at the end of 2026, has been sporadically caught in the crosshairs of both Israel and Hezbollah over the last couple of years.
Indonesia's foreign ministry said the peacekeeper who died yesterday was one of its citizens and that three others were injured by indirect artillery fire in the vicinity of the Indonesian UNIFIL contingent's position near Adchit al-Qusayr.
"We do not know the origin of the projectile. We have launched an investigation to determine all of the circumstances," UNIFIL said.
Minister for Defence Helen McEntee condemned the attacks on Indonesian UNIFIL personnel in Lebanon.
"Those serving under the UN flag do so in pursuit of peace and stability.
"These incidents are an attack on the very principles of peace, cooperation and international solidarity," the minister said.
The Irish Defence Forces can confirm that all Irish personnel are well and accounted for. We wish to extend our sympathies to the families of the peacekeepers who lost their lives in the service of peace. Our thoughts are also with those injured in the attack.
— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) March 30, 2026
Óglaigh na… pic.twitter.com/io0mcF2AEj
On 6 March, Ghana's armed forces said the headquarters of its UN peacekeeping battalion in Lebanon was hit by missile attacks, leaving two soldiers critically injured.
Israel's military later acknowledged that its tank fire had hit a UN position in southern Lebanon that day, wounding the Ghanaian peacekeepers.
The military said its troops had responded to anti-tank missile fire from Hezbollah, which had moderately wounded two of its soldiers.
"Once again, we call on all actors to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times, including by refraining from actions that may put peacekeepers in danger," UNIFIL said.
Indonesia condemned the incident and said any harm to peacekeepers is unacceptable, while reiterating its condemnation "of Israel's attacks in Southern Lebanon".
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that he strongly condemns the killing and the "shocking escalation of violence that has injured a number of peacekeepers in recent days".
In a social media post, he said that "the role of the peacekeeper must be respected and honoured at all times".
"Both Israel and Hezbollah must do everything in their power to keep peacekeepers from harm. I have been briefed by our Defence Forces and all Irish personnel serving in Lebanon continue to be well and accounted for," he said.
Lebanon was pulled into the war in the Middle East when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel on 2 March in solidarity with Tehran, two days after Iran was attacked by Israel and the United States. Hezbollah's attack prompted new Israeli attacks against the group and across Lebanon.
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Bani Hayyan, where two UN peacekeepers were killed and two injured in an explosion today, is roughly 15km northeast from Camp Shamrock, where roughly 300 Irish peacekeepers are stationed in the Irish Area of Responsibility (AOR).
Adchit Al Qusayr, where a third peacekeeper was killed yesterday, is roughly 17km from Camp Shamrock, and just 3km north of Bani Hayyan.
Both incidents occurred within the wider UN-monitored zone in southern Lebanon, where Irish troops are deployed.
A UN battalion led by Irish officers operates Camp Shamrock near Bint Jbeil and two outposts called UNP 6-50 and UNP 6-52, near the border towns of Maroun El-Ras and Yaroun.
In August last year, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to end its peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon after nearly five decades, following pressure from the United States and Israel to wind down the force.
UNIFIL will remain in place under a final mandate until 31 December 2026.
The mission has been sporadically caught in the crosshairs of both Israel and Hezbollah over the last couple of years.
Recent incidents underscored the risks.
On 6 March, Ghana's armed forces said the headquarters of its UN peacekeeping battalion in Lebanon was hit by missile attacks, leaving two soldiers critically injured.
Israel's military later acknowledged that its tank fire had hit a UN position in southern Lebanon that day, wounding the Ghanaian peacekeepers.
The military said its troops had responded to anti-tank missile fire from Hezbollah, which had moderately wounded two of its soldiers.
Additional reporting Kate McDonald
