Beirut: The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that Israeli tank fire targeted one of its positions in southern Lebanon. This incident followed a drone attack where a hand grenade was dropped near UN peacekeepers during a patrol, marking repeated violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
According to Anadolu Agency, UNIFIL shared on the social media platform X that its peacekeepers were on a routine patrol near Adeisse when local residents alerted them to a potential threat inside a house. The patrol discovered an explosive device connected to a detonating cord and established a security perimeter around the area.
As the peacekeepers moved to inspect another house nearby, a drone dropped a hand grenade approximately 30 meters from their position. It remains unclear whether the grenade detonated. UNIFIL promptly issued a stop-fire request to the Israeli army, accusing it of endangering both civilian and peacekeeper lives through its operations on Lebanese soil.
UNIFIL highlighted that these actions breach UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and pose a risk to stability in southern Lebanon. Additionally, the mission reported that an Israeli Merkava tank fired around 30 small-caliber rounds at a UNIFIL position near the town of Kafer Chouba, hitting a sentry post and penetrating living quarters, likely after ricocheting. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
The UN mission reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of fire through liaison mechanisms and reminded the Israeli Defense Forces of their obligation to ensure the safety of peacekeepers. UNIFIL emphasized that actions jeopardizing peacekeeper safety are significant violations of Resolution 1701 and destabilize the region.
Established in 1978 after Israel's invasion of southern Lebanon, UNIFIL's mandate was significantly expanded following the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah under Resolution 1701. Over 10,000 peacekeepers were deployed to monitor the ceasefire and support the Lebanese army south of the Litani River.
Resolution 1701, adopted in August 2006, calls for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and establishes a weapons-free zone between the UN-demarcated Blue Line and the Litani River, with exceptions for UNIFIL and Lebanese army forces.
In August 2025, the UN Security Council resolved to conclude UNIFIL's mandate by December 31, 2026, with a phased drawdown of forces over the following year. Despite a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah since late November 2024, Israel's continued violations have resulted in hundreds of casualties, and its forces maintain control over several Lebanese territories, exacerbating tensions in the region.