The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol near the southern Lebanese village of Marjayoun on Oct. 29, 2024. (Credit: Rabih Daher/AFP)
A count by L'Orient Today shows the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping force has been targeted over 15 times since Oct. 10, the majority of which have been from Israeli army fire.
On Oct. 29, a rocket hit UNIFIL's Naqoura headquarters, injuring eight Austrian peacekeepers. The projectile was "likely" fired by "Hezbollah or an affiliated group," according to UNIFIL. Since Oct. 10, 13 peacekeepers have been injured, and bases and equipment have been damaged.
Illustration: Jaimee Lee Haddad / L'Orient Today
These attacks on peacekeepers have been met with international condemnation, noting that deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are against international law. Most recently European Union's foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, condemned the Israeli army for its attack on UNIFIL in Lebanon.
“To say that there are attacks against UNIFIL without saying who is doing them is to hide part of the truth, and who is doing them is the Israeli army, and therefore the Israeli army must be condemned," Borrell said at the forum of the 43 member states of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) in Barcelona on Monday, Euro News reported.
Earlier in October, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for UNIFIL forces to pull out of “combat areas," as it launched its ground offensive to target Hezbollah positions. These calls were rejected by the head of U.N. peacekeeping operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
The 10,000-strong U.N. force was established in 1978 after the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon. After the 2006 war in Lebanon, its role expanded to monitoring and keeping the peace along the 120 km Blue Line — the U.N.-recognized border demarcation that separates Israel and Lebanon.
Timeline of attacks targeting UNIFIL since Oct.10,
Here is a breakdown of attacks on UNIFIL, according to statements from the peacekeeping force:
- Oct. 29, Naqoura: A rocket hit UNIFIL’s headquarters, setting a vehicle workshop on fire. Some peacekeepers, who were not in bunkers at the time, suffered minor injuries. “The rocket was fired from north of UNIFIL's headquarters, likely by Hezbollah or an affiliated group,” UNIFIL said.
- Evening, Oct.23, Kfar Shuba: Two shells or rockets of "unknown origin" struck near a UNIFIL position in Kfar Shuba (Hasbaya), damaging housing and shelters.
- Evening, Oct.23, Beit Lif: The peacekeepers said, "A medical center located in a UNIFIL position in Beit Lif [Bint Jbeil] was hit by a shell or rocket of unknown origin," damaging the buildings.
- Early morning, Oct. 23, Yarin: Two medical evacuation teams that had moved to Yarin (Sour), “to transfer a patient, came under fire from unknown sources,” and “one of the vehicles was immobilized and had to be left behind.”
- Oct. 22, Dhaira: Peacekeepers “on duty at a permanent observation post near Dhaira (Sour) observed Israeli soldiers carrying out operations” in nearby houses, according to a UNIFIL statement. “Realizing that they were being observed,” these soldiers "fired at the post." The peacekeepers on duty “withdrew, to avoid being shot,” the text added.
- Oct. 20, Marwahin: An Israeli army bulldozer “deliberately demolished” an observation tower and perimeter fence of a U.N. position in Marwahin (Sour), UNIFIL said.
- Oct. 17, southern Lebanese coast: A UAV of “unknown origin” approached one of UNIFIL’s Maritime Task Force ships off the southern Lebanese coast, says UNIFIL.
- Oct. 16, near Kfar Kila: An Israeli Merkava tank fired at a watchtower in Kfar Kila (Marjayoun). Two cameras were destroyed, and the tower was damaged, UNIFIL stated.
- Oct. 13, Ramaya: At 4:30 a.m., two Israeli army Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate of the UNIFIL position in Ramaya (Bint Jbeil). Troops forcibly entered the position and left 45 minutes later. At 6:40 a.m., several rounds were fired 100 meters north, emitting smoke. Fifteen peacekeepers suffered skin irritation and gastrointestinal reactions, according to UNIFIL.
- Oct. 12, Mais al-Jabal: Israeli soldiers “stopped a critical UNIFIL logistical movement” near Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun), denying it passage, says UNIFIL.
- Oct. 11, Ramaya: UNIFIL building was badly damaged due to explosions from nearby shelling.
- Oct. 11, Naqoura: A peacekeeper was hit by gunfire at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura (Sour) “due to ongoing military activity nearby."
- Oct. 11, morning, Naqoura: Two peacekeepers were injured after two explosions occurred close to an observation tower.
- Oct. 11, Labbouneh: Several T-walls fell when an Israeli armored bulldozer hit the perimeter and tanks moved in the proximity of the UNIFIL position 1-31, Labbouneh (Sour), near the Blue Line, UNIFIL stated.
- Oct, 10, Naqoura: Indonesian peacekeepers were injured in Naqoura after an Israeli army Merkava tank fired at an observation tower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it and causing the peacekeepers to fall.
