Indonesia Prepares for Worsening Situation in Lebanon with its UNIFIL Contingent

 Indonesia Prepares for Worsening Situation in Lebanon with its UNIFIL Contingent

                                                                        Source en.tempo.co

Jakarta's TEMPO.CO In the event that conditions along Israel's border with Lebanon deteriorate, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has prepared its strategy for the Indonesian contingency in Lebanon.

Since the Israel-Palestine conflict began to rise on October 7, there has been an increase in the level of violence between Israeli forces and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah.

The conflict is primarily near the border, while Israel has carried out multiple airstrikes inside Lebanon's borders.

The Committee to Protect Journalists calculated that more than 150 people have died since the conflict began. Tens of thousands of civilians and three journalists were also slain, though the majority were Hezbollah members.

According to the Israeli military, since October 7, at least four Israeli civilians and nine troops have also died.

The United Nations mandate for the Indonesian military in Lebanon has not changed, according to the Indonesian foreign ministry. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stated, "We will keep engaging with our forces in Lebanon through our ambassador," during a meeting on Wednesday, December 27, in South Jakarta.

Approximately 217 Indonesian nationals presently live in Lebanon, according to Judha Nugraha, the ministry's director of Protection of Indonesian Citizens and Legal Entities. 

"From time to time, not only assessing the situation in Gaza but also other countries that may have been affected by the situation in Gaza," he stated.

In October, the Foreign Ministry released its most recent data, which showed that 1,200 Indonesian contingents are stationed in south Lebanon along Israel's border with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL.

AZZAHRA A. NABIILA | AL JAZEERA

Source en.tempo.co