The Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT 850-11), operating under the United Nations (UN) banner, successfully mobilized a critical humanitarian mission to provide clean water to the Tibnine Hospital in southern Lebanon. This region has suffered relentless airstrikes by Israeli fighter jets, severely disrupting essential services and worsening the humanitarian crisis. The Malaysian peacekeeping contingent’s action marked a significant contribution to the local community’s struggle to survive amidst the ongoing conflict.
According to a statement released by the Joint Forces Headquarters of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), the initiative was coordinated through the Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) units, specifically J9-CIMIC and G9-CIMIC, with logistical support from MALBATT personnel. Over two days, from October 21 to 22, MALBATT personnel transported and delivered 36,000 liters of clean water to the hospital, where resources had been stretched to the breaking point due to the conflict.
The airstrikes in southern Lebanon have left vital infrastructure in shambles, cutting off water, electricity, and medical supplies to many facilities, including Tibnine Hospital, one of the main healthcare centers in the area. This hospital plays a crucial role in treating injured civilians and those suffering from chronic conditions, many of whom have been displaced by the violence.
MALBATT’s water supply mission was led by Major Mohd Razalan bin Ahmad, Commander of Company C, and involved a dedicated team of 12 Malaysian peacekeepers. Their swift and well-organized response provided a lifeline for the hospital. Dr. Mohamad Hemedeh, Director of Tibnine Hospital, expressed profound gratitude to the Malaysian peacekeepers for their timely assistance.
“We are truly touched by MALBATT 850-11’s prompt response, and the clean water will be fully utilized to meet the hospital’s needs,” Dr. Hemedeh said in an emotional statement. The water donation ensures that the hospital can continue to function, providing vital services to the surrounding community.
MALBATT 850-11 forms a key part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), a peacekeeping mission established in 1978 to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and assist the Lebanese government in restoring peace and security. More than 800 Malaysian peacekeepers are currently stationed in southern Lebanon, primarily at Camp Ma’rakah and Camp Tibnine. Their responsibilities include patrolling the designated Area of Responsibility (AOR), facilitating humanitarian aid, and supporting the local population amidst the volatile security situation.
The water donation to Tibnine Hospital reflects UNIFIL’s broader humanitarian strategy, which MALBATT has been an integral part of. The Malaysian peacekeepers have been actively involved in community outreach efforts, providing essential services such as medical care, water, and food supplies to civilians affected by the ongoing hostilities.
Southern Lebanon has become a focal point of intense military operations since the beginning of October 2024, with Israel launching airstrikes and ground assaults in response to Hezbollah activity in the region. The escalating violence has posed significant challenges to UNIFIL operations, as the safety of peacekeepers has come under increasing threat.
Recently, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin revealed that all units under UNIFIL, including MALBATT 850-11, have been instructed to suspend patrols and logistical movements due to the heightened security risks. “MALBATT 850-11, operating in southern Lebanon, has been directed by UNIFIL to remain within their bases,” he said. This measure is part of a wider precautionary strategy to protect UN personnel from becoming targets of the ongoing conflict.
Moreover, UNIFIL headquarters has activated a ‘bunker drill’ protocol, requiring peacekeepers to take shelter in fortified positions until the situation stabilizes. The protocol is designed to provide enhanced protection from airstrikes and other forms of military aggression that have increasingly threatened UNIFIL forces.
In his address to the Malaysian Parliament on October 17, 2024, Mohamed Khaled reiterated that while Malaysian peacekeepers are authorized to defend themselves in the event of an attack, offensive operations are not permitted. “If they are attacked, they are permitted to respond in self-defense,” he stated, emphasizing the defensive nature of MALBATT’s mission under UNIFIL’s mandate. His statement also acknowledged the growing concerns over the safety of peacekeepers deployed in Lebanon, particularly given Israel’s warning for UNIFIL forces to vacate the region immediately.
Since the beginning of October, Israel has intensified its military campaign in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions and infrastructure. These airstrikes have not only inflicted significant damage on Hezbollah’s military capabilities but have also caused widespread devastation to civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, and hospitals. According to reports, many villages in southern Lebanon, including Tibnine, have been left without basic services, and thousands of civilians have been displaced.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly warned UNIFIL forces to leave southern Lebanon, citing security risks. However, UNIFIL remains committed to its mission, and MALBATT continues to uphold its peacekeeping and humanitarian responsibilities, despite the increasing dangers posed by the conflict.
The ongoing conflict has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation in Lebanon, a country struggling with political instability, an economic collapse, and the aftermath of the Syrian refugee crisis. In this context, the role of UNIFIL and MALBATT peacekeepers has become even more critical. While their primary mandate is to monitor the cessation of hostilities and ensure peace along the Blue Line (the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon), they have also been deeply involved in providing humanitarian aid to the war-affected population.
Water shortages have become a severe problem in many parts of southern Lebanon, where access to clean water has been disrupted by the destruction of infrastructure. Hospitals, in particular, have been struggling to maintain basic services, with Tibnine Hospital facing extreme shortages of water, medicine, and electricity. MALBATT’s delivery of clean water was not only timely but also essential to the hospital’s continued operation.
In addition to water deliveries, MALBATT peacekeepers have participated in various other humanitarian activities, including distributing food supplies and providing medical assistance to injured civilians. These efforts underscore the multifaceted role that peacekeepers play in conflict zones, where they are often called upon to provide not only security but also life-saving aid.
The situation in southern Lebanon is emblematic of the broader challenges facing peacekeeping missions in conflict zones, particularly in areas where non-state actors like Hezbollah operate. While UNIFIL’s mandate is to ensure the cessation of hostilities, the reality on the ground is often far more complex, with peacekeepers caught between warring factions and subjected to the risks of collateral damage.
For Malaysia, its peacekeeping mission in Lebanon is a source of national pride, with MALBATT personnel widely recognized for their professionalism and dedication to their duties. The water delivery to Tibnine Hospital serves as a powerful reminder of the essential role that peacekeepers play in conflict zones, not just as enforcers of peace but as protectors of human dignity.
