The recent attack resulted in four Blue Helmet troops from Ghana being injured, with three of them requiring hospitalization.
Over the past few months, several UNIFIL troops have been injured by Israeli attacks in the ongoing conflict between the Hezbollah group, Lebanon, and the Israeli Zionists.
UNIFIL Garuda Contingent personnel were also not spared from Israeli attacks. Two Indonesian soldiers on UNIFIL duty were injured by the Israeli Merkava tank fire toward the observation tower at the UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura, southern Lebanon.
UNIFIL has repeatedly reported attacks on its locations targeted by the Israeli army. According to reports from the peacekeeping troops, Israeli troops fired at outposts, including two Italian bases and UNIFIL's main headquarters, and violated the Blue Line. Representatives of the Italian leadership have repeatedly called Israel's actions unacceptable.
The Blue Line is a demarcation line established by the United Nations (UN) in 2000 as a temporary border between Lebanon and Israel.
The line was established after Israeli forces withdrew from southern Lebanon, ending an occupation that had been ongoing since 1982.
Regarding several attacks on UNIFIL troops and violations of the Blue Line by Israel, the UN expressed concern over repeated incidents involving the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) contingent.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attacks on peacekeepers and called on all parties to comply with international obligations to protect their safety.
According to Guterres, UN peacekeepers, including the Indonesian contingent, play a vital role in maintaining stability and preventing further escalation in a highly vulnerable region. They must be protected and respected.
The UN has repeatedly reminded all parties of their obligations to protect the safety and security of peacekeepers.
Related news: 2 Indonesian soldiers injured in Israeli attack resume UNIFIL duties
A light in the darkness of conflict
Amid the turmoil of tensions gripping the Middle East, where blood has been spilled, and the world is torn between sympathy and hatred, peacekeepers from all over the world, including Indonesia, are a light that continues to burn in the darkness of conflict.
As part of the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) mission, Indonesian troops play a role that is not only important but also meaningful amid the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has not subsided until now.
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) emphasized that Indonesia will not withdraw TNI personnel who are part of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and will continue to carry out their duties as required.
According to a spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rolliansyah Soemirat, Indonesia remains committed to supporting the UN Peacekeeping Mission (MPP) carried out in southern Lebanon in accordance with the mandate of the Constitution.
Indonesia is still the largest troop contributor to UNIFIL, sending up to 1,230 military personnel.
Indonesia's commitment to continue to serve in UNIFIL is in line with the UN's decision to maintain the presence of peacekeeping troops in Lebanon to date.
UNIFIL, which has been tasked with maintaining peace in South Lebanon since 1978, has become a symbol of hope for civilians caught in an unresolved conflict.
In this peacekeeping force structure, Indonesia has taken a position that cannot be underestimated. Indonesia first sent its troops to join the UNIFIL mission in 2006 after the Second Lebanon War.
As a country with the largest Muslim population in the world and a firm commitment to the principles of international peace, Indonesia presents a strength that is more than just physical.
It brings with it a message of peace that flows through the blood of the nation, which comes from a long history of struggle against colonialism and injustice.
The steadfastness of Indonesian troops on the front lines of South Lebanon is not just a matter of physical courage.
More than that, the UNIFIL Garuda contingent is a manifestation of moral courage, the courage to stand firm in the face of challenges that are full of risks.
In a region filled with uncertainty, where airstrikes and tensions on the border create a gloomy situation, Indonesian troops remain there, maintaining stability in an exemplary manner.
Southern Lebanon, which is one of the most vulnerable areas in the tension between Israel and Hezbollah, often witnesses fierce clashes.
Hezbollah, as an armed group that has great influence in Lebanon, and Israel, with its unmatched military power, often compete on the border.
However, amid all the friction, the Indonesian UNIFIL troops continue to carry out their duties by maintaining the ceasefire and building bridges between people separated by decades of conflict.
Related news: Biden lauds Indonesia's peacekeeping forces in UNIFIL mission
Appreciation for Indonesian UNIFIL
Several world leaders, such as United States President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have lauded the role of Indonesian peacekeepers in UNIFIL Lebanon.
Biden and Starmer commended Indonesia's role as part of the UNIFIL peacekeepers.
This was expressed by the two world leaders when they met with President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto.
President Biden voiced his appreciation for Indonesia's role in the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission.
Biden also spoke of joining Indonesia in calling for protection from military activities that could endanger UNIFIL personnel.
The Indonesian UNIFIL troops face major challenges, not only in terms of military but also in terms of diplomacy and humanity.
In this case, Indonesia not only plays a role as a peacekeeper but also as a mediator who brings a spirit of unity.
On numerous occasions, Indonesian troops directly interacted with local communities, paid heed to their stories, and built bridges of trust that often seemed fragile among the divided Lebanese people.
They came with a friendly and compassionate approach, supporting development and helping to ease tensions through humanitarian activities.
As a nation rooted in the principles of mutual cooperation and respect for humanity, Indonesia brings a different perspective to this peacekeeping operation.
Rather than just being militaristic, they integrate cultural and social approaches into their duties.
Indonesian troops are not merely the guardians of the Blue Line across the Litani River but also a reminder that peace is not only achieved with weapons but with talks, understanding, respect, and reconciliation.
However, Indonesia's steadfastness faces several tests in every protracted and dangerous struggle. Amid the threat of attack from various parties, Indonesian UNIFIL troops continue to persevere.
They bear great responsibility for their own security and the hopes of the world that wants to see the Middle East return to peace.
The steadfastness of Indonesian troops amid the Israel-Hezbollah conflict is proof that in a world full of violence and hatred, there is still room for the light of peace.
Indonesia, with all its diversity and cultural richness, shows the world that the solution to international conflict does not always lie in military power alone but in the determination to understand, respect, and embrace fellow human beings.
In the process, Indonesia not only maintains peace in South Lebanon but also strengthens its commitment to a more peaceful world.
The steadfastness of Indonesian UNIFIL troops reflects the spirit of a nation that wants a better world. Amid threats and dangers, they continue to carry out their duties with full dedication.
Hope remains that one day, the conflict plaguing the Middle East region can end, bringing peace that all parties have long awaited.
With this spirit, Indonesia proves that peace is not only one country's responsibility but a collective effort that requires courage, sincerity, and relentless commitment.
The Indonesian UNIFIL troops are not only peacekeepers but also a symbol of hope that a more peaceful world can be realized.
Related news: Indonesia reassures continued commitment to UNIFIL mission
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