March 30, 2026 | 04:50 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan expressed his strong condemnation of the attack that resulted in the casualties of Indonesian peacekeeping forces in Lebanon in a statement released on Monday, March 30, 2026. He stated that the regime of Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel has disregarded international law and the safety of United Nations personnel.
According to him, this incident occurred due to indirect artillery fire around the position of the Indonesian contingent near Adchit Al Qusayr on March 29, 2026, amidst reports of military escalation between Israel and armed groups in South Lebanon. As a result, one soldier was killed, and three others were injured while serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Expressing his anger over the incident, Anies emphasized that the attack was deliberate, stating, "Israel bombed the base where our troops were stationed. This is clearly not an accident or collateral damage."
Anies highlighted Indonesia's contribution to global peace missions, stating that Indonesia has deployed over 1,200 personnel under the UN flag and actively advocated for peaceful resolutions in the Middle East. He expressed frustration at the response, stating, "We extend our hand in good faith. However, the answer is bombs dropped on our military base."
Calling on the United Nations, Anies called for concrete action instead of mere statements, emphasizing that the UN's credibility is at stake if it cannot protect its own peacekeeping forces.
"The credibility of the UN is at stake. If this world body cannot protect its own peacekeeping forces, then what is it actually protecting?" he remarked.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Central Advisory Council of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Mulyanto, stressed that the incident should serve as a comprehensive evaluation of the protection system for forces. He highlighted aspects such as security, field intelligence support, and the adequacy of primary weapon systems.
"This evaluation must encompass all aspects of protection, including the readiness of weaponry and information support in the field in order to minimize risks to soldiers as much as possible," he stated in an official statement on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of reviewing engagement rules and operational standards in active conflict areas. "The safety of the soldiers must be the top priority without compromising the effectiveness of the peacekeeping mission," he added.
Mulyanto pointed out that the growing complexity of the security situation in Lebanon has left peacekeeping forces more vulnerable than ever. He mentioned the escalation of conflicts involving various actors, including tensions between Hezbollah and Israel.
"This indicates that the mission area is becoming more dangerous and requires a more adaptive protection approach," he said.
He also urged the government to strengthen active diplomacy in international forums to promote conflict de-escalation. "Indonesia must be part of the solution, not just a risk bearer of prolonged conflicts," he remarked.
In the future, Mulyanto requested that the government strike a balance between deploying troops and ensuring the safety of soldiers. Troop deployments should be based on careful risk calculations and supported by optimal protection, ensuring Indonesia's commitment to global peacekeeping while maintaining personnel safety in the field.
Read: Lawmaker Calls for TNI Withdrawal from Lebanon After Soldier's Death
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