UN peacekeepers say Israel fired on Lebanon HQ, injuring 2
Two UN peacekeepers were injured on Thursday when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted their headquarters in south Lebanon, leading to widespread international condemnation.
Indian peacekeepers at the site are reported safe.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from European nations involved in the UN’s peacekeeping mission.
Israel confirmed that its forces opened fire in the region, citing the presence of Hezbollah militants near UN posts. In response, Italy, a significant contributor to the UN peacekeeping force, stated that the attacks “could constitute war crimes.” The United States also expressed deep concern over the incident.
The injured peacekeepers, both Indonesian, were stationed at the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) headquarters in Naqoura when an Israeli tank shell struck an observation tower. Farhan Haq, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, reported that while the injuries were not serious, the peacekeepers remain hospitalized for treatment.
As Israel intensifies its ground offensive against Hezbollah, UNIFIL peacekeepers find themselves caught in the escalating conflict along the Blue Line, which divides Israel from Lebanon and Syria. Despite Israel’s requests for UNIFIL to vacate certain bases, the peacekeepers have maintained their positions as mandated by the UN Security Council.
Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned militia, controls significant territories in southern Lebanon and has been involved in ongoing confrontations with Israel, violating Security Council resolutions. India has deployed approximately 900 peacekeepers to the UNIFIL mission, with some stationed in Naqoura.
Haq noted that Israeli forces also targeted two other UN positions, damaging vehicles and communications systems. On Wednesday, Israeli troops reportedly fired at the entrance of a bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering in Labbouneh, and deliberately disabled perimeter-monitoring cameras at another location.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping, condemned these actions during a Security Council meeting, stating they demonstrate “little regard for the protections afforded to UN premises and personnel under international law.” He emphasized that the safety of peacekeepers is increasingly at risk amid Israel’s ongoing military operations and airstrikes in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah’s continued attacks across the Blue Line pose threats to major population centers in Israel. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, lamented the international community’s failure to curb the violence, urging both Hezbollah and Israel to cease hostilities.
Indonesia’s Deputy Permanent Representative, Hari Prabowo, condemned Israel’s attacks on UN peacekeepers, emphasizing that such actions serve to intimidate both the peacekeeping mission and the broader international community. He described the attacks as a blatant attempt to instill fear on the ground.
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