7-11-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Five members of the Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT 850) peacekeeping force have been injured in an Israeli military strike in Sidon, southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation in the region’s ongoing tensions.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin confirmed the incident, indicating that the Armed Forces Headquarters would issue a detailed statement shortly regarding the attack on Malaysian personnel serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
According to the Lebanese Army, the incident occurred when a vehicle carrying MALBATT peacekeepers was passing through a checkpoint. “Israeli forces bombed a car passing through Awali in Sidon, resulting in three Lebanese casualties,” the statement revealed. UNIFIL subsequently confirmed the attack through their official X (formerly Twitter) account.
Statement:
This afternoon, a UNIFIL convoy bringing newly-arrived peacekeepers to south Lebanon was passing Saida when a drone strike occurred nearby.
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) November 7, 2024
The incident comes at a particularly sensitive time, as MALBATT 850-12 had just begun their deployment to Lebanon. The new contingent, comprising 854 personnel, including members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (ABDB) and a civilian officer, commenced their phased deployment yesterday, scheduled to continue until November 18.
The rotation of forces, which involves the replacement of MALBATT 850-11 personnel who have completed their 12-month tour of duty, is being conducted via Batik Air flights in accordance with UNIFIL Force Commander directives.
