KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt 850-11) stationed in South Lebanon is confirmed safe with no casualties or asset damage.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said all Malbatt 850-11 personnel, operating under the United Nations Interim Force (Unifil), had been ordered to halt patrols and logistic movements.
"The team remains at their respective stations, following the directive from Unifil due to the situation in the region," he said.
For safety reasons, Unifil had implemented bunker drills to ensure that its personnel remain protected until the situation stabilises.
Khaled added that any decision to withdraw Malbatt 850-11 personnel would depend on Unifil's assessment of the security situation.
"The Defence Ministry and the Malaysian Armed Forces will continue to monitor developments in South Lebanon and will provide updates on any new developments involving Malbatt 850-11," he said.
Earlier today, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes in the country had killed 55 people and injured 156 in the past 24 hours.
Since Sept 23, the Israeli army had been conducting an unprecedented, intensive air attack on Lebanon in a dangerous escalation with Hizbollah.
Hizbollah and the Israeli army had been exchanging fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border amid fears of a broader conflict as the war between Hamas and Israel continues in Gaza since October last year.
On Sept 20, two vehicles Malbatt 850-11 deployed in Unifil mission in Lebanon were attacked by a group of civilians.
The incident occurred while they were passing through an area under the responsibility of the Italian peacekeeping forces.
Khaled said the peacekeepers were in the area while making their way back to Marakah camp.