An explosion on Saturday resulted in injuries to four United Nations peacekeeping personnel, as confirmed by the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL). Among those injured were three military observers and one foreign language interpreter.
The incident occurred during a foot patrol near Rmeish in southern Lebanon. The injured individuals were promptly evacuated for medical attention, and UNIFIL has initiated an investigation into the source of the explosion.
Emphasizing the paramount importance of ensuring the safety and security of U.N. personnel, the peacekeepers underscored that all parties bear a responsibility under international humanitarian law to protect non-combatants, including peacekeepers, journalists, medical personnel, and civilians.
They reiterated their plea for a cessation of the ongoing heavy exchanges of fire to prevent further unnecessary casualties.
Explosion Wounds Four U.N. Staff in Lebanon; Israel Refutes Allegations of Involvement (Credits: Haaretz)
Initial reports from Lebanese media suggested that the attack may have been carried out using a drone targeting a UNIFIL vehicle. According to these accounts, the UNIFIL team became aware of being trailed by a drone and disembarked from the vehicle before the missile struck.
In response, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry attributed the attack to Israeli forces and announced its intention to lodge a formal complaint with the U.N. Security Council. The ministry asserted that the attack aligns with a broader pattern of Israel’s disregard for international decisions and representatives dating back to 1948.
Contrary to these allegations, Israel has denied any involvement in the attack. Avichay Adraee, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, refuted the claims in a statement on Saturday, asserting that the IDF did not target any UNIFIL vehicle in the Rmeish area.
