Beirut(The COW News Digital) A member of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was injured after Israeli forces opened fire in southern Lebanon, according to an official statement issued by the United Nations on Wednesday. The incident has raised renewed concerns over the safety of international peacekeepers operating in the volatile border region between Lebanon and Israel.
Arab media reports cited UN officials as confirming that the wounded peacekeeper was targeted while stationed at a UNIFIL position. The United Nations described the incident as a serious and aggressive violation of international norms, emphasizing that UN personnel and facilities must not be attacked under any circumstances.
In its statement, the UN said Israeli fire struck near a UNIFIL post close to the village of Bustra, where gunfire was accompanied by the explosion of a stun grenade. The injured peacekeeper was immediately provided medical assistance and was reported to be in stable condition. No further casualties were reported.
UNIFIL, which has been deployed in southern Lebanon since 1978, plays a critical role in maintaining calm along the Blue Line — the UN-demarcated boundary between Lebanon and Israel. The force is mandated to monitor the ceasefire, support the Lebanese Armed Forces, and help ensure that the border area remains free of unauthorized armed presence.
The latest incident comes amid heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, where exchanges of fire and cross-border incidents have increased in recent months. UN officials warned that repeated attacks on peacekeeping forces undermine regional stability and threaten the mission’s ability to carry out its mandate effectively.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time UN peacekeepers have come under attack in the area. In October, at least three separate grenade-related incidents were reported involving Israeli military actions near UN positions, one of which also resulted in injuries to UN personnel. The United Nations has repeatedly called for restraint and respect for international law by all parties involved.
The UN reiterated its demand for a full investigation into the latest incident and urged Israel to ensure the safety and security of UN peacekeepers operating in the region. Diplomatic sources say the matter is likely to be raised at the United Nations Security Council amid growing international concern over escalating hostilities in southern Lebanon.
