Beirut, Lebanon – The Lebanese army arrested six individuals following a brazen attack on United Nations peacekeepers patrolling southern Lebanon. The arrests came as a UN Security Council (UNSC) delegation prepared to visit the region to assess escalating tensions firsthand.

The Lebanese army confirmed on Saturday that its intelligence directorate had detained six Lebanese suspects connected to Thursday’s assault. The attack involved six men riding three mopeds who opened fire on a UNIFIL patrol vehicle, though fortunately, no one was injured.

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Protection of UN Peacekeepers

The Lebanese army emphasized that it will not tolerate attacks on UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force that has acted as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon for nearly five decades. UNIFIL also monitors the ceasefire reached in November 2024 between Israel and Hezbollah, ensuring both sides adhere to the agreement.

The arrests followed a meeting between President Joseph Aoun and the visiting UNSC delegation on Friday. Aoun highlighted that the delegation’s trip south would allow them to “see the real picture of what is happening there”, amid rising tensions with Israel and ongoing army efforts to disarm Hezbollah.

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Rising Tensions Between Israel and Lebanon

Last year’s ceasefire was meant to see Israeli forces withdraw from Lebanese territory and Hezbollah disarm. However, Israeli forces continue to occupy at least five positions inside Lebanon and have conducted near-daily operations that have reportedly killed over 300 civilians, according to UN reports.

Israel maintains that its operations target Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure to prevent the group from rebuilding its military capabilities, but civilian casualties and widespread destruction have sparked international concern.

UNIFIL has also expressed concern over Israeli fire near peacekeepers, highlighting the risks faced by the international force on the ground.

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Diplomatic Engagement Amid Hostilities

The UNSC visit comes at a time of tentative diplomatic engagement between Lebanon and Israel. On Wednesday, the two countries held direct discussions under a ceasefire monitoring mechanism, signaling potential progress after decades of hostilities.

President Aoun told the UNSC delegation that Lebanon had “adopted the option of negotiations with Israel” and asserted that there is “no going back” on this path.

However, Hezbollah criticized the engagement, describing Lebanon’s moves as a “free concession” that would not prevent further Israeli attacks.

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Outlook for Southern Lebanon

The arrests of the six suspects signal the Lebanese army’s commitment to maintaining security in southern Lebanon, particularly in areas patrolled by UN peacekeepers. As diplomatic talks and monitoring continue, the situation remains tense, with the potential for further clashes between Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanese forces.

UNIFIL continues to play a critical role in maintaining stability, while the international community closely watches the evolving security dynamics in the region.