Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Major General Diodato Abagnara of the Italian Army reviews the troops at the UNIFIL base, near Mansouri, southern Lebanon, Sept. 19, 2026. (Credit: Mohamed Azakir/ Reuters)
BEIRUT — The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said one of its positions near Kfar Shuba, a disputed zone along the Blue Line in the eastern sector of south Lebanon, was hit Wednesday morning by several rounds of small-arms fire, without specifying the origin of the shots.
"All peacekeepers stationed at this position immediately took shelter shortly after the initial shots were fired, and no one was injured," UNIFIL said in a statement.
During the day, the Israeli army fired toward the still-inhabited village of Kfar Shuba from the Roueisat al-Alam position, according to our correspondent in the South.
“Most of the shots hit the perimeter wall of the UNIFIL position, but some also struck accommodation units and vehicles inside the base,” the U.N. force added, noting that several impacts were recorded at the outpost.
The international force said it was “unacceptable that the shooting continued in the direction of a clearly identified UNIFIL position,” referring to “deliberate attacks” that seriously endanger the lives of peacekeepers. It announced that it was launching an investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident, reminding all parties to the conflict of “their obligations under international law to ensure at all times the safety and security of United Nations personnel and property.”
UNIFIL has served as a peacekeeping force between Israel and Lebanon since 1978 but has been caught in the crossfire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah. The force, which comprises nearly 8,200 soldiers from 47 countries, has found itself between Israel and the Iran-backed group, which dragged Lebanon into the war between Israel and the United States on one side and Iran on the other by launching an attack on March 2. Since then, UNIFIL has come under fire several times.
While a U.S.-backed plan for the Lebanese Army to disarm Hezbollah and take control of south Lebanon remains stalled, intense diplomatic activity is underway to find a solution for the gap that will be left by UNIFIL’s withdrawal at the end of 2026. Lebanon wants an extension. Other countries are discussing a new multinational mission, although the nature of its mandate still needs to be determined.