The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that Israeli forces fired on its peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, the latest incident amid near-daily strikes by Israel that violate a year-old ceasefire with Hezbollah. The confrontation highlights ongoing instability along the Blue Line, the UN-demarcated border between Israel and Lebanon.
Details of the Incident
According to UNIFIL, Israeli soldiers fired from a Merkava tank near a position established in Lebanese territory, with heavy machine gun rounds landing just five meters from UN personnel. The peacekeepers were reportedly able to withdraw safely thirty minutes later after the tank returned inside Israeli-controlled territory.
Israel defended the incident, claiming poor weather conditions caused troops to mistake the UN patrol for “suspects.”
The Lebanese Army condemned the attack, asserting that Israeli violations represent a “dangerous escalation” and reaffirming efforts to work with international partners to halt continued breaches of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Previous Threats to UN Peacekeepers
UNIFIL previously reported Israeli drone attacks in September that dropped four grenades near its personnel, with one landing within 20 meters of UN vehicles. The latest shooting is considered a serious violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah and underpins the 2024 truce between the two parties.
UNIFIL reiterated calls for Israel to cease aggressive actions against peacekeepers and warned that continued attacks threaten regional stability.
Escalating Tensions Between Israel and Lebanon
The ceasefire reached in November 2024 followed a period of intense hostilities linked to the Gaza conflict in October 2023, during which Israel killed over 4,000 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and displaced more than a million. Many villages were razed, and Israel maintains control of at least five points inside Lebanese territory, in violation of the truce.
Israel claims its strikes target Hezbollah positions, though it has provided little evidence of militant activity at these sites.
Controversial Israeli Wall Along Blue Line
Lebanon plans to file a complaint with the United Nations Security Council regarding Israel’s construction of a concrete wall along its southern border, encroaching on roughly 4,000 square meters of Lebanese territory. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasized that the wall violates Lebanon’s sovereignty and disrupts local communities.
Established in 2000, the Blue Line is a 120-kilometer (75-mile) UN-verified demarcation intended to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese land and maintain peace. UNIFIL criticized Israel’s presence and construction north of the Blue Line, calling it a violation of both Resolution 1701 and Lebanon’s territorial integrity.
Conclusion
The repeated targeting of UN peacekeepers and continued ceasefire violations highlight the fragility of peace in southern Lebanon. As UNIFIL works alongside the Lebanese army to uphold the 2024 truce, international attention remains crucial to preventing further escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, protecting civilians, and maintaining stability along the Blue Line.
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