UNIFIL attacked by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon

In a new security development along the Blue Line, UNIFIL said on Friday that two of its patrols were targeted by gunfire from nearby Israeli positions during routine activities in southern Lebanon, without any injuries reported. The force warned against the recurrence of such incidents, describing them as a “worrying phenomenon.”

In a statement, UNIFIL said that a first patrol reported that 15 rounds from light weapons were fired at a distance of less than 50 meters. A second patrol in the same area, less than twenty minutes later, reported coming under fire from approximately 100 rounds from machine guns at a similar distance.

The statement noted that UNIFIL personnel assessed that the source of fire in both incidents was likely a position belonging to the Israeli Defense Forces south of the Blue Line. It added that the UN force immediately requested a ceasefire through established communication channels and had previously informed the Israeli side of the activities it was conducting in those areas.

UNIFIL renewed its call on the Israeli army to halt “aggressive behavior” and to refrain from targeting or endangering peacekeeping forces. It stressed that any attack on its personnel or in their vicinity constitutes a serious violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

For years, UNIFIL has acted as a buffer force between Lebanon and Israel, working in coordination with the Lebanese Army to support the ceasefire in place for a year between Israel and Hezbollah. In recent weeks, the UN force has reported similar incidents, including the injury of one of its soldiers, who sustained minor wounds in an Israeli attack near one of its positions.

This comes as Israel continues to maintain forces at five points in southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024, and continues to carry out strikes it says target Hezbollah sites or members. Meanwhile, under international pressure, the Lebanese government has pledged to work toward disarming the group, starting in the southern border areas.

The UN Security Council voted last August to extend UNIFIL’s mandate until the end of 2026, with a withdrawal from Lebanon scheduled by the end of 2027.

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ANHA