The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported an alarming incident on Sunday, stating that Israeli soldiers fired at its peacekeepers using a tank positioned near an army site in southern Lebanon. This escalation comes amid ongoing efforts by UNIFIL to maintain a fragile truce established between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in the previous November.
According to UNIFIL’s statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) opened fire from a Merkava tank, targeting peacekeepers who were in the vicinity. Heavy machine gun rounds struck perilously close—approximately five meters away from the UN personnel. Fortunately, the peacekeepers managed to evacuate the area safely about thirty minutes later, shortly after the tank retreated back to Israeli-controlled territory.
The incident has raised significant concerns, with UNIFIL categorizing the shooting as a serious violation of UN Security Council resolution 1701. This resolution was pivotal in concluding the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and has underpinned the ceasefire that was brokered last November. This ceasefire aimed to put an end to more than a year of hostilities that flared following the initiation of conflict in Gaza.
Under the terms of the November truce, Israel was expected to withdraw its military presence from southern Lebanon. However, it continues to maintain a presence in five strategically important areas. The Israeli military has carried out regular strikes in Lebanon, claiming they are aimed at Hezbollah targets and operatives.
This latest incident marks yet another episode in which UNIFIL has accused Israel of jeopardizing the safety of its peacekeepers. In response, the peacekeeping force urged the IDF to immediately cease any aggressive actions and to refrain from attacks targeting or occurring near UN personnel.
