Indonesian UN Peacekeeper Dies From Wounds in Lebanon Attack

The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, said on Friday that an Indonesian blue helmet died in hospital of wounds suffered in an attack on his base on 29 March. "UNIFIL deplores the passing today of Corporal Rico Pramudia, who was critically injured following a projectile explosion in his base in Adchit Al Qusayr on the night of 29 March," the force said in a statement. His death brings the number of peacekeepers killed since the start of the most recent war between Israel and Hezbollah on 2 March to six. UNIFIL said at the time of the 29 March attack that one Indonesian soldier was killed and another wounded. A preliminary investigation by the UN found that the soldier was killed by an Israeli tank shell. The following day, two more Indonesian blue helmets were killed by an improvised explosive device. The same UN investigation found that Hezbollah was likely responsible. Indonesia has already urged the UN to launch a thorough investigation into both incidents. Two French soldiers serving in UNIFIL were killed in an ambush on 18 April, which French authorities and the UN have blamed on Hezbollah. The group denies any involvement. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon has carried out peacekeeping duties between Israel and Lebanon since 1978 but has found itself caught in the crossfire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. UNIFIL comprises nearly 8,200 troops from 47 countries. A ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah has been in effect since 17 April, which the US said on Thursday night had been extended by three weeks.