RRI.CO.ID, New York - The United Nations (UN) announced preliminary findings into the deaths of three Indonesian peacekeepers in southern Lebanon in late March, while they were serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The investigation indicates the involvement of Israel and the Lebanese organization Hezbollah in the deaths of Major Infantry (Posthumous) Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, Sergeant Major (Posthumous) Muhammad Nur Ichwan, and Second Corporal (Posthumous) Farizal Rhomadon.

In a press briefing in New York, United States, on Wednesday, 8 April 2026, Spokesperson of UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, considered the three as "brave peacekeepers". He then explained that the March 29 incident that killed Corporal Farizal was caused by a shell fired by an Israeli tank.

"Regarding the incident on 29 March, based on the available evidence, including analysis of the impact site and, notably, the fragments of the projectile discovered in United Nations position 7-1, the projectile was a 120 mm tank main armament round, fired by an Israel Defense Forces Merkava tank from the east, in the direction of Ett Taibe," Dujarric stated.

Meanwhile, the 30 March incident that killed Major Zulmi and Sergeant Nur Ichwan was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) that was activated by the victim, triggering the explosion. Dujarric said the device was most likely planted by Hezbollah, according to the investigation.

"The investigation has assessed that, given the location of the incident, the nature of the explosion, and the current context, the IED was most likely placed by Hezbollah," he said.

Dujarric also stated that a full investigation is ongoing to fully understand the context and circumstances amid ongoing hostilities, and Boards of Inquiry will be convened in both cases. The UN considered both killings "unacceptable".

"The UN has requested that the relevant parties investigate and prosecute the cases by national authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure criminal accountability for crimes against peacekeepers," Dujarric said.

"Attacks on United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law," he said.

Dujarric urged all parties to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers at all times, as well as the inviolability of UN facilities. The UN also reiterated its condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and the Indonesian government, and prayed for a full recovery for all those injured.

The bodies of the three soldiers arrived in Indonesia on Saturday, 4 April 2026, and were buried in their hometowns on Sunday, 5 April 2026. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, in a statement, "strongly condemned any heinous acts that undermine peace" and kill them.