Beirut, Lebanon – Four United Nations peacekeepers were injured in southern Lebanon after a shell exploded near them amidst ongoing clashes and cross-border fire between Israel and the Hezbollah movement. The incident occurred along the Blue Line, which separates Lebanon from Israel.
Lebanese media outlets have reported that Israel was allegedly responsible for the explosion, although the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) has not yet determined the source of the shelling.
In a statement, UNTSO denounced the targeting of peacekeepers and emphasized the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law to protect non-combatants, including peacekeepers, journalists, medical personnel, and civilians. The injured observers were taken to the hospital for treatment, and an investigation into the incident has been initiated.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the incident, labeling it as “dangerous.” The recent escalation in violence has raised concerns about the possibility of a full-fledged conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, who last engaged in a war in 2006.
Since October, Israel has reportedly killed over 347 individuals in Lebanon, primarily Hezbollah fighters, along with at least 68 civilians, including a journalist from Reuters. The ongoing fighting has displaced tens of thousands of people in southern Lebanon.
Established in 1948 after the creation of Israel, UNTSO functions as a peacekeeping mission to monitor ceasefires and armistice agreements between Israel and Arab countries like Lebanon. The organization also provides support to other UN peacekeeping operations in the region, including the UNIFIL force responsible for monitoring the Israeli-Lebanese border area.