Beirut: UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres strongly condemned the killing of an Indonesian peacekeeper serving with United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon, warning that attacks on peacekeepers may constitute war crimes and calling for immediate de-escalation.

According to National News Agency - Lebanon, in a statement issued by his spokesperson St©phane Dujarric, the Secretary-General denounced the incident that occurred on March 29 at a UNIFIL position in Ett-Taibe, southern Lebanon, amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hizbullah. The attack resulted in the death of one Indonesian peacekeeper and left another seriously injured.

Guterres extended his deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the fallen peacekeeper, as well as to the Republic of Indonesia, while wishing a full and swift recovery to the injured member of the mission.

The United Nations underscored that this incident is part of a series of developments over recent days that have endangered the safety and security of peacekeepers operating in the area.

Reiterating a firm warning, the Secretary-General called on all parties to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the protection of United Nations personnel and property at all times. He stressed that attacks targeting peacekeepers constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, and may amount to war crimes, emphasizing that accountability will be required.

The Secretary-General also expressed deep appreciation for the men and women serving with UNIFIL, reaffirming the importance of their safety, security, and full freedom of movement in carrying out their mandate.

The United Nations renewed its call on all parties to immediately de-escalate and to fully adhere to their commitments under Resolution 1701, in an effort to prevent further loss of life and deterioration of the situation along the Blue Line.