2 more UN peacekeepers killed within 24 hours in southern Lebanon

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said that two more of its members have been killed over the last 24 hours in southern Lebanon.

Two people were killed on Monday after an "explosion of unknown origin" destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan, the organization said. A third peacekeeper was severely wounded and another was injured in the incident.

The deaths came fewer than 24 hours after an Indonesian peacekeeper was killed and three others wounded when a projectile, also of undetermined origin, exploded near a UNIFIL position in a southern Lebanese village.

"We reiterate that no one should ever have to die serving the cause of peace," UNIFIL said in a statement on social media on Monday. "Deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701, and may constitute war crimes.

It added: "The human cost of this conflict is far too high. The violence, as we have said before, must end."

And earlier this month, three Ghanaian peacekeepers were wounded when their base was hit.

UNIFIL, which for decades has served as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon, patrols the area around the country's southern border. Over the years since its mission began in 1978, the force has lost around 340 members.