Israeli forces targeted three UN peacekeeper positions in southern Lebanon this week, including two strikes on Thursday and one on Wednesday, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed.
The incidents occurred as Israel continued its military operations against Hezbollah, cautioning Lebanese civilians to avoid returning to their homes in the south.
Two peacekeepers sustained injuries when an Israeli tank shell hit an observation tower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, causing the structure to collapse. UNIFIL noted that no injuries were reported in the other incidents, which included strikes that damaged vehicles, communications systems, and monitoring cameras.
UNIFIL condemned the attacks as a “grave violation of international humanitarian law,” and said it is engaging with the Israeli military to address the situation. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati revealed that diplomatic talks are ongoing between the United States and France to revive a ceasefire, though no official comments have been made by Washington or Paris.
The conflict, which escalated following last year’s attacks by Hamas on Israel, remains tense, particularly after a recent Iranian missile strike. Israel claims its offensive in Lebanon aims to ensure the safe return of evacuees from northern Israel amid ongoing Hezbollah rocket fire.
UNIFIL, a peacekeeping force established in 1978 and expanded after the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, consists of around 10,500 personnel from various countries, including France, Italy, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Ghana.
