Sarda: The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that its peacekeepers were targeted by Israeli gunfire near the Sarda area in southern Lebanon, marking what the mission described as a 'serious violation' of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

According to Anadolu Agency, UNIFIL issued a statement detailing how peacekeepers, while patrolling the Blue Line in vehicles, were fired upon by Israeli soldiers operating a Merkava tank on Tuesday. The incident involved a series of machine-gun bursts, with one ten-round burst fired above the convoy and four additional ten-round bursts nearby.

The peacekeeping mission stated that immediately following the gunfire, communication channels were used to urge the Israeli army to halt their actions. Both the peacekeepers and the Israeli tank were confirmed to be within Lebanese territory during the incident. Thankfully, no injuries were reported as a result of the gunfire.

UNIFIL highlighted that the Israeli army had been informed in advance about the patrol's location and timing, a necessary procedure for operations in sensitive areas along the Blue Line. The mission emphasized that such attacks on or near peacekeepers are grave breaches of Security Council Resolution 1701, urging the Israeli army to cease aggressive actions and support efforts to maintain stability along the border.

Despite UNIFIL's statement, the Israeli army has yet to comment on the incident. The incident adds to a series of confrontations faced by UN peacekeeping patrols in southern Lebanon, which have previously encountered Israeli actions such as laser targeting and warning shots. These incidents have been described as 'extremely dangerous' by UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres's spokesperson, St©phane Dujarric.

A ceasefire has been in effect in Lebanon since November 2024, following a protracted period of conflict that resulted in over 4,000 deaths and 17,000 injuries amid the Israeli genocidal campaign in Gaza. Post-ceasefire, Lebanon's Health Ministry reports that at least 335 people have died and 973 have been injured in 1,038 Israeli attacks.

The ceasefire agreement stipulated the withdrawal of the Israeli army from southern Lebanon by January 2025. However, the withdrawal was only partial, with Israel maintaining a military presence at five border outposts.