The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed on Friday that Corporal Rico Pramudia, an Indonesian peacekeeper, has died from critical injuries sustained during an attack on his base in Adchit Al Qusayr on the night of 29 March. The force stated that a projectile explosion caused the wounds that led to his death in hospital.
Pramudia's death raises the total number of UNIFIL personnel killed since the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah on 2 March to six. The conflict, which has drawn in multiple international actors, has placed the peacekeeping mission in a precarious position along the Blue Line separating Israeli and Lebanese forces.
UN Investigations Point to Both Sides
A preliminary UN investigation found that the 29 March attack, which initially killed one Indonesian soldier and wounded another, was caused by an Israeli tank shell. The following day, two additional Indonesian peacekeepers were killed by an improvised explosive device, with the same investigation concluding that Hezbollah was likely responsible. Indonesia has formally called on the UN to conduct a thorough probe into both incidents.
The toll on UNIFIL has been mounting. On 18 April, two French soldiers serving with the force were killed in an ambush that French authorities and the UN have attributed to Hezbollah. The group has denied any involvement. For more on that incident, see our report on the second French UNIFIL soldier death.
UNIFIL, established in 1978 to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and maintain peace, now comprises nearly 8,200 troops from 47 countries. Its mandate, set to expire in 2027, is under review as the UN considers its post-UNIFIL presence in the region. The ongoing violence has raised questions about the mission's effectiveness and safety, as discussed in our analysis of UNIFIL's future in Lebanon.
The deaths highlight the broader risks faced by peacekeepers in volatile zones. European nations, including France, Italy, and Spain, contribute significant contingents to UNIFIL, making the mission a key component of European security engagement in the Middle East. The loss of French soldiers has particularly resonated in Paris, where officials have called for accountability.
As the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues, the humanitarian and security costs for international forces remain high. The UN has urged all parties to respect the safety of peacekeepers, but the repeated attacks underscore the challenges of maintaining a neutral presence amid active warfare.
