New York (Monitoring Desk): Two Israeli mortar shells landed near a position of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), southwest of the southern Lebanese town of Yaroun, causing damage to a helicopter landing pad and the main entrance gate.
Reacting to the incident, UNIFIL reminded the Israeli army of its responsibilities and demanded that the safety of peacekeeping forces be ensured and that all such attacks end, as they put the lives of personnel at risk.
In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, UNIFIL said that both mortar shells were likely illumination rounds, which fell close to the helipad and main gate of the UN position. Immediately after the incident, peacekeeping personnel moved to shelters as a precautionary measure. No casualties were reported.
According to UNIFIL, a request for an immediate ceasefire was also conveyed to the Israeli army following the incident. The statement reiterated that targeting peacekeepers and their facilities is unacceptable and must be prevented.
UNIFIL emphasized that any action endangering peacekeeping forces constitutes a serious violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which severely undermines efforts to maintain stability in the region.
The United Nations has noted that in recent times, several incidents of Israeli forces firing near UNIFIL positions and conducting military activities in close proximity have been recorded in southern Lebanon, prompting repeated expressions of concern.
It is worth recalling that UNIFIL was established on March 19, 1978, under Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426, with the mandate to monitor Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, restore peace, and assist the Lebanese government in establishing authority in the southern regions. Following the 2006 war, UNIFIL’s mandate and responsibilities were further expanded under Resolution 1701.
Last year in August, UNIFIL’s mandate was extended until December 31, 2026, after which a phased reduction of forces and an organized and secure withdrawal process is to begin.
