The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Friday announced the death of an Indonesian peacekeeper who was critically injured last month following a projectile explosion at a UN position in southern Lebanon, bringing the number of peacekeepers killed in the war to six.
Corporal Rico Pramudia, 31, succumbed to his injuries on 24 April at a hospital in Beirut, after being wounded on the night of 29 March in an explosion at a UNIFIL base near Adchit Al Qusayr.
The incident on 29 March had initially killed another peacekeeper instantly and left Corporal Pramudia critically injured. At the time, UNIFIL described the event as a tragic loss, stating that “a peacekeeper was tragically killed… when a projectile exploded in a UNIFIL position,” while another was left fighting for his life. The mission also noted that the origin of the projectile was not immediately known and an investigation had been launched.
In its updated statement following Pramudia’s death, UNIFIL said it “deplores the passing” of the peacekeeper, extending condolences to his family, the Indonesian Armed Forces, and the Government of Indonesia.
The mission called on all parties to respect their obligations under international law and ensure the protection of UN personnel and assets, adding that deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are unacceptable under any circumstances.
“Too many lives have been lost on both sides of the Blue Line in this conflict. There is no military solution. The violence must end,” UNIFIL said in its initial response following the 29 March incident.
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