Washington: The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has voiced concerns regarding the activities of Hezbollah and the Israeli army near its positions, particularly highlighting the increased use of drones that pose risks to peacekeepers.
According to Anadolu Agency, UNIFIL expressed its apprehensions through a statement released on Wednesday, detailing incidents involving drones operated by Hezbollah and the Israeli military. These drones have been responsible for explosions around UNIFIL bases, endangering the safety of peacekeepers. The statement highlighted specific events where presumed Hezbollah drones exploded near the Naqoura headquarters in southern Lebanon on May 11 and 12, causing damage to buildings but fortunately resulting in no injuries.
The incidents have prompted an investigation by an explosive ordnance disposal team, which confirmed that one of the drones was unarmed but of Iranian manufacture, suggesting Hezbollah's involvement. In another incident on May 5, a drone believed to be armed and fiber-optic guided crashed into a building at a UN position near Al Hinniyah. UNIFIL stressed the need for Hezbollah and the Israeli army to avoid operations near their positions, warning that such activities could put peacekeepers at risk.
The peacekeeping force has also protested the presence and actions of the Israeli army near its positions and has communicated similar concerns regarding non-state actors to the Lebanese Armed Forces. Despite the challenges, UNIFIL continues to report developments impartially to the UN Security Council.
The warning from UNIFIL coincides with ongoing Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, which began on March 2 amid exchanges of fire with Hezbollah. These strikes have resulted in significant casualties, with official Lebanese data reporting at least 2,896 deaths, over 8,824 injuries, and the displacement of more than 1.6 million people, equivalent to about one-fifth of the population. The strikes persist even though a ceasefire was announced on April 17 and extended until May 17.