A vehicle belonging to UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) photographed in Saida, Nov. 14, 2024. (Credit: Mahmoud ZAYYAT/AFP)
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced Friday evening that an artillery shell struck its Sector West headquarters in Chamaa, a locality in the Sour district of southern Lebanon, during the afternoon. The incident “caused no injuries” among peacekeepers, with only minor damage reported to the gymnasium, the U.N. force stated in a press release.
UNIFIL clarified that “the shell did not explode, and Italian demining experts quickly secured the area and conducted a controlled detonation.” It also reiterated that “deliberate attacks against peacekeepers constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.” The statement did not specify whether the artillery fire came from Hezbollah or Israel.
Meanwhile, ‘violent clashes’ took place Friday between Chamaa and the neighboring village of Tayr Harfa, involving Hezbollah and Israeli forces, according to local sources cited by correspondent Mountasser Abdallah. Israeli troops reportedly entered Lebanese territory at this location and were repelled by Hezbollah after artillery bombardments, near the archaeological citadel of Chamaa.
Italy Protests, Israel to Investigate
Later Friday, Italy confirmed that an unexploded artillery shell had struck the base of its UNIFIL contingent in Chamaa, with Israel promising an investigation, as reported by Reuters. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani contacted his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, to “protest against Israeli attacks on its personnel and infrastructure within UNIFIL,” a statement said. Tajani condemned the attacks, emphasizing the need to ensure the safety of UNIFIL soldiers, while the Israeli minister promised an “immediate investigation.”
Earlier in the day, UNIFIL reported that a convoy heading to its headquarters in Naqoura was involved in a road accident along the coastal route near Chamaa, resulting in the death of a French peacekeeper and injuries to three others. The incident appeared unrelated to the clashes between Hezbollah and Israel. UNIFIL’s medical staff and the Lebanese Red Cross attended to the injured on-site, with the mission’s head, General Aroldo Lazaro, offering condolences to the family of the deceased and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
With approximately 10,000 peacekeepers, UNIFIL has been deployed in southern Lebanon since 1978 as a buffer force between Lebanon and Israel. It is tasked with monitoring the Blue Line, a boundary demarcated by the U.N. between the two countries. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti reported in late October that the mission had experienced over 30 “incidents” in one month, around 20 attributed to “fire or actions” by Israeli armed forces. On Thursday afternoon, UNIFIL reported that “unidentified individuals fired about 30 shots” at its personnel near Qalaouié in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon.
