Israeli Military Fires UNIFIL Troop Patrol During Patrol In Blue Line

Illustration of patrols of UNIFIL troops. (Source: UNIFIL)

JAKARTA - The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Wednesday the Israeli military shot its peacekeeping forces the day before in the south of the country, urging Israeli troops to "stop aggressive behavior."

"Yesterday, peacekeepers in vehicles patrolling the Blue Line were shot by soldiers (Israeli soldiers) inside the Merkava tank," UNIFIL said in a statement, referring to the de facto border, reported Al Arabiya from AFP (11/12).

"A ten-time series of machine gun fire was fired over the convoy, and four more ten shots were fired nearby," the statement said.

The statement stated that both Israeli peacekeepers and tanks were in Lebanese territory at the time of the incident. The Israeli military has been notified of the previous peacekeeping patrol location and time.

"The peacekeeping forces asked (Israeli military) to stop shooting through UNIFIL's connecting channels. Fortunately, no one was injured," he said.

This is the latest incident reported by peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon, in which UNIFIL acted as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon, in collaboration with the Lebanese army to support a year-long ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah.

Last month, UNIFIL said Israeli soldiers shot its troops in the south, while the Israeli military said they mistakenly thought the peacekeepers were "suspects" and fired warning shots.

In October, UNIFIL said one of its members was injured by an Israeli grenade dropped near the UN position in the south of the country, a third incident in more than a month.

"Attacks on or near peacekeeping forces constitute a serious violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701," UNIFIL said on Wednesday, referring to a 2006 resolution on the basis of the November 2024 ceasefire.

"We call on (Israeli military) to stop aggressive behavior and attacks on or near peacekeeping forces working to rebuild stability along the Blue Line," the peacekeepers said.

It is known that UNIFIL was founded in 1978 following Israel's invasion of southern Lebanon. Its initial mandate was to confirm Israel's withdrawal, restore peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in rebuilding its authority in the region.

Over time, especially after the 2006 war between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, the UNIFIL's role was expanded based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to include monitoring the cessation of hostilities, support for the Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon, and assistance to ensure territory between the Litani River and Blue Line, the border set by the United Nations with Israel, remains free of armed personnel or illegal weapons.

After the 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah which ended in November 2024, UNIFIL has helped the Lebanese government to assert control over its southern region.

Under a US-brokered ceasefire, Hezbollah and Israel are both required to withdraw from southern Lebanon, while UN forces were deployed there with the Lebanese military, in part to help dismantle Hezbollah's infrastructure.

UNIFIL currently consists of 10,800 military and civilian personnel from nearly 50 countries. In August, the Security Council decided to extend the troop mandate until December 2026.

Israel itself regularly attacks Lebanon despite a ceasefire, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah's location and personnel, accused of arming themselves again.

Israel also places troops in five southern Lebanese regions deemed strategic.

Last Saturday, the UN Security Council delegation visiting Lebanon urged all parties to uphold the ceasefire.

The delegation stressed "the safety of peacekeeping forces must be respected and they should not be targeted," after gunmen riding motorbikes attacked UNIFIL personnel last week.