ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday condemned in the strongest possible terms the killing of three Indonesian peacekeepers serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in separate attacks, saying artillery shelling, airstrikes and drone attacks have increased hostile incidents against peacekeepers in clear violation of international law.
“This tragic and deeply disturbing incident strikes at the very heart of international law, UN peacekeeping and the international community’s collective commitment to the maintenance of international peace and security,” said Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan, while speaking at the UN Security Council Emergency Meeting on UNIFIL.
According to media reports, two Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon killed three Indonesian UN peacekeepers in the past two days. As the world focuses on US-Israel attacks on Iran, Lebanon entered the war early March, when Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel.
The ambassador said that attacks against peacekeepers are unacceptable and may constitute war crimes under the international law. UN personnel are impartial agents of peace; targeting them is a grave violation that undermines international humanitarian law.
“This incident must also be viewed within the broader context. Israel’s continued military actions in southern Lebanon have resulted in the death of more than 600 civilians, displacement of more than a million people, and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure. Ongoing fighting and hostilities are further exacerbating the humanitarian situation and heightening risks to both civilians and peacekeepers,” he said.
These developments are undermining the Lebanese government’s bold steps, policy decisions and serious commitment to peace and stability. “We must not allow this. The council must extend its full support to Lebanon. Pakistan stands firmly with the government and people of Lebanon.
“Failure to ensure the safety of UN personnel undermines the credibility of this Council, of peacekeeping, international law and the collective commitment of the international community to maintain peace and protect civilians,” he said.
The ambassador pointed out that accountability is essential, and those responsible must be brought to justice. “Pakistan calls for a prompt, thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation to establish the facts. The safety and security of peacekeepers and UN premises must be fully ensured at all times, in full accordance with international law,” he added.
The attacks on UNIFIL, he reminded the UN, are not isolated incidents but part of a disturbing pattern of attacks on UNIFIL. “The UNIFIL has been subjected to a persistent aggressive behaviour, and restrictions on freedom of operations. The council must not allow such violence against peacekeepers to become normalised. These missions are mandated by the Security Council and their protection is its foremost responsibility.”
In this regard, he gave the example of Pakistan which is one of the largest troop-contributing countries, having lost 182 peacekeepers in the line of duty, Pakistan shares this profound sense of loss.
“We stand in full solidarity with the government and people of Indonesia, as well as with the families of fallen peacekeepers, whose sacrifice reflects the immense risks undertaken in service of international peace and security. We wish full and speedy recovery to the injured peacekeepers,” he said.
Pakistan demanded accountability which, it said, was essential, while calling those responsible to be brought to justice. “Pakistan calls for a prompt, thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation to establish the facts as the safety and security of peacekeepers and UN premises must be fully ensured at all times, in full accordance with international law. Attacks against peacekeepers are unacceptable and may constitute war crimes under international law.”
The ambassador urged all parties to adhere to their obligations under Security Council Resolution 1701 and the cessation of hostilities agreement of November 2024.
