A UNIFIL vehicle in Marjayoun, southern Lebanon, on Oct. 17, 2024. (Credit: AFP)
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported four new incidents targeting its positions in southern Lebanon, at least one of which was clearly attributed to the Israeli army, in two statements issued on Friday. Although no injuries have been reported and the Force has “taken significant measures to ensure the safety of its peacekeepers,” it nevertheless described an “extremely difficult” security situation.
In an initial statement, UNIFIL reported that on Oct. 22, peacekeepers “on duty at a permanent observation post near Dhaira, in the Sour district of southern Lebanon, observed Israeli soldiers carrying out operations” in nearby houses. “Realizing that they were being observed,” these soldiers "fired at the post." The peacekeepers on duty “withdrew, to avoid being shot,” the text added.
UNIFIL also reported that “early in the morning of Oct. 23,” two medical evacuation teams that had moved to Yarin, in the Bint Jbeil district, “to transfer a patient, came under fire from unknown sources,” and that “one of the vehicles was immobilized and had to be left behind.”
The Blue Helmets added that, “on the evening of the same day, a medical center located in a UNIFIL position in Beit Leif [in the Bint Jbeil district] was hit by a shell or rocket of unknown origin, damaging the buildings.”
“Later, two shells or rockets, also of unknown origin, struck near a UNIFIL position in Kfar Shuba [in the Hasbaya district], damaging housing and shelters,” continued the second statement.
Israeli pressure
The Blue Helmets pointed out that the Israeli army “has repeatedly demanded that UNIFIL leave its positions along the Blue Line and has deliberately damaged cameras, lighting and communications equipment at some of these positions.” The international force assured that, “despite the pressure exerted,” its soldiers would remain “in position and at their posts.” “We will continue to carry out the monitoring and reporting tasks entrusted to us,” it added, reminding the Israeli army and "all parties" of their obligation to ensure the safety of U.N. personnel, as "any deliberate attack constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and Resolution 1701."
The peacekeepers said that they “continue to monitor the situation in southern Lebanon and report to the Security Council.” Since the beginning of October, peacekeepers have observed clashes on the ground in and around the districts of Sour (Alma Shaab, Labbouneh, Ras Naqoura), Bint Jbeil (Aitaroun, Bint Jbeil, Hanine, Kounin, Maroun al-Ras, Mais al-Jabal, Yaroun) and Marjayoun (Houla, Markaba). Rocket fire from Lebanon and air and heavy artillery strikes from Israel continued.
In an interview with Euronews on Thursday, UNIFIL deputy spokeswoman Candice Ardell described the situation on the Israeli-Lebanese border as “very dangerous and worrying,” noting that “there is no sign of an easing of the conflict” that began on Oct. 8, 2023, between Hezbollah and Israel and has worsened considerably since the summer.
Several peacekeepers have been injured in previous incidents involving Israel, for which UNIFIL has requested explanations.