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STORY: UNIFIL / PEACEKEEPER TESTIMONIES
TRT: 04:27
SOURCE: UNIFIL
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / SINHALESE / NATS
DATELINE: VARIOUS DATES, UNIFIL HEADQARTERS, NAQOURA, LEBANON
10 OCTOBER 2024, UNIFIL HEADQARTERS, NAQOURA, LEBANON
1. Tracking shot, damage to UNIFIL observation tower by Merkava tank projectile
17 OCTOBER 2024, UNIFIL HEADQARTERS, NAQOURA, LEBANON
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Kalpani Fernando, Major:
“Suddenly, we saw, and we heard an explosion. It came towards the [inaudible] area, and we saw a huge dust happening with a black smoke. Then we ran like, this is my office, and we ran inside the office, and within few seconds, like the second explosion happened. Then two of my troops got injured when they were doing the duty at OP6. They were at the outside of the OP at that time, and they got injured, injured due to the expulsion at that time. Then I closed the gate, and we evicted them to the hospital within two to three minutes time.”
10 OCTOBER 2024, UNIFIL HEADQARTERS, NAQOURA, LEBANON
3. Tracking shot, damage to UNIFIL observation tower by Merkava tank projectile
21 OCTOBER 2024, UNIFIL HEADQARTERS, NAQOURA, LEBANON
4. SOUNDBITE (Sinhalese) Corporal Premasiri, Sri Lankan Peacekeeper:
“On 11th October 2024, I got injured due to an explosion and evacuated to UNIFIL hospital. I have been transferred to Tyre hospital for further treatments. I was admitted for seven days and returned to UNIFIL hospital. Currently, I am undergoing treatments.”
10 OCTOBER 2024, UNIFIL HEADQARTERS, NAQOURA, LEBANON
5. Tracking shot, damage to UNIFIL observation tower by Merkava tank projectile
21 OCTOBER 2024, UNIFIL HEADQARTERS, NAQOURA, LEBANON
6. SOUNDBITE (Sinhalese) Lance Corporal Wickramage:
“While I was on duty in OP6, there was an explosion. Due to that, I got injured in the back of my shoulder. I have been evacuated into UNIFIL hospital quickly. I have undergone a surgery, and I am continued with treatments. Now, I am recovering and hope to join with Sri Lankan Peacekeepers soon to serve back in UNIFIL.”
16 OCTOBER 2024, UNIFIL HEADQARTERS, NAQOURA, LEBANON
7. Various shots, projectile impact being observed by an Indonesian peacekeeper from one of UNIFIL HQ observation towers
19 OCTOBER 2024, UNIFIL HEADQARTERS, NAQOURA, LEBANON
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Winda Anggita Cahyani, 1st Sgt:
“There has been a lot of fire happened in here. So, it occurs level three all day long. So, we have to stay inside of the bunker. It'll also decrease the time off for itself. The Internet is here is also off since that that the building which provides our accommodation Internet was hit by the airstrike. And also, it’s the limitation of a movement. It really-really give a very big impact for us since that here there's a lack of water, lack of food. So, if there is a store which is open, it can cause a kind of panic buying or something.”
10 OCTOBER 2024, UNIFIL HEADQARTERS, NAQOURA, LEBANON
9. Tracking shot, damage to UNIFIL equipment
21 OCTOBER 2024, UNIFIL HEADQARTERS, NAQOURA, LEBANON
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Lt Col Shilpi Mankotia, Nursing officer:
“In addition to the normal medical cover these days, we are providing support and care to the casualties and survivors of the collateral damage, which includes civilians and humanitarian assistance. I was on leave when I learned about the present conflict going on and I reported back on duty from India. I landed in Beirut at midnight. After a struggle of seven days, I was able to come back to my duty station.”
10 OCTOBER 2024, UNIFIL HEADQARTERS, NAQOURA, LEBANON
11. Tracking shot, damage to UNIFIL equipment
21 OCTOBER 2024, UNIFIL HEADQARTERS, NAQOURA, LEBANON
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Lt Col Shilpi Mankotia, Nursing officer:
"Presently, each peacekeeper around is anxious due to the uncertainty of the situation here. We all are doing everything to keep ourselves motivated."
16 OCTOBER 2024, UNIFIL HEADQARTERS, NAQOURA, LEBANON
13. Wide shot, projectile impact being observed by an Indonesian peacekeeper from one of UNIFIL HQ observation towers
Amid rising tensions in southern Lebanon, peacekeepers stationed at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) headquarters in Naqoura have been enduring harsh conditions. Recent testimonies from peacekeepers reveal the extent of the challenges they face, including heightened threats from nearby military activity, restricted movement, and logistical difficulties.
Describing the October 11 incident Major Kalpani Fernando said, “Suddenly, we saw, and we heard an explosion. It came towards the [inaudible] area, and we saw a huge dust happening with a black smoke. Then we ran like, this is my office, and we ran inside the office, and within few seconds, like the second explosion happened. Then two of my troops got injured when they were doing the duty at OP6. They were at the outside of the OP at that time, and they got injured, injured due to the expulsion at that time. Then I closed the gate, and we evicted them to the hospital within two to three minutes time.”
"Lately there has been a lot of fire happening here. So, it occurs level three all day long. We have to stay inside of the bunker," said 1st Sgt Winda Anggita Cahyani who described the impact of continued hostilities on daily operations. "It'll also decrease the time off for the personnel. The Internet here is also off since the building which provides our accommodation Internet was hit by an airstrike," she added.
These challenges are compounded by limited access to basic necessities. "It’s the limitation of movement. It really gives a very big impact for us since there’s a lack of water, lack of food. So, if there is a store which is open, it can cause a kind of panic buying or something," she explained.
The strain is not only physical but also emotional, "presently, each peacekeeper around is anxious due to the uncertainty of the situation here. We all are doing everything to keep ourselves motivated," Lt Col Shilpi Mankotia shared.
The conflict has also taken a toll on personnel health. "On 11th October 2024, I got injured due to an explosion and evacuated to UNIFIL hospital. I was transferred to Tyre hospital for further treatment. I was admitted for seven days and returned to UNIFIL hospital. Currently, I am undergoing treatments," recounted Corporal Premasiri, Sri Lankan Peacekeeper.
Another peacekeeper, Lance Corporal Wickramage, described a similar experience. "While I was on duty in OP6, there was an explosion. Due to that, I got injured in the back of my shoulder. I have been evacuated to UNIFIL hospital quickly. I have undergone surgery, and I am continuing with treatments. Now, I am recovering and hope to join with Sri Lankan Peacekeepers soon to serve back in UNIFIL."
In addition to their regular duties, UNIFIL medical staff have been stretched thin, providing care not only to injured peacekeepers but also to civilians caught in the crossfire. "In addition to the normal medical cover these days, we are providing support and care to the casualties and survivors of the collateral damage, which includes civilians and humanitarian assistance," said Lt Col Shilpi Mankotia, Nursing officer. "I was on leave when I learned about the present conflict going on. I reported back on duty from India. I landed in Beirut at midnight. After a struggle of seven days, I was able to come back to my duty station."
The conflict has caused significant damage to UNIFIL’s facilities, including observation towers and essential infrastructure.
