Israeli drones drop grenades near UN peacekeepers in Lebanon
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has said that Israeli drones dropped four grenades close to the peacekeepers working to clear roadblocks hindering access to a UN position on Tuesday morning.
“This is one of the most serious attacks on UNIFIL personnel and assets since the cessation of hostilities agreement of last November,” the UNIFIL said in a statement on Wednesday.
“One grenade impacted within 20 metres and three within approximately 100 metres of UN personnel and vehicles.”
Israel has been carrying out near-daily attacks on Lebanon despite a ceasefire reached with Hezbollah in November 2024.
Israeli army was aware of UN presence in Lebanon before attack: UNIFIL
We now have more details from UNIFIL about Israel’s grenade attack near peacekeepers in Lebanon.
UNIFIL says the Israeli army was informed in advance of its road clearance work in the area, southeast of the village of Marwahin.
“Any actions endangering UN peacekeepers and assets, and interference with their mandated tasks are unacceptable and a serious violation of Resolution 1701 and international law,” UNIFIL said, referring to the resolution adopted at the end of the 2006 war to stop hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
Israel creating ‘new reality’ in southern Lebanon
The Israeli army knew that UN peacekeepers would be carrying out work to remove the rubble, and that’s why they are calling this a deliberate targeting.
This is being seen as a message by the Israeli army that it is not going to allow anyone to reach areas close to the border. Since the ceasefire, Israel has established positions within Lebanese territory along that border, creating a de facto buffer zone.
Tens of thousands of people have also not been able to return to their destroyed villages, not even to rebuild or to clear the rubble. Israeli drones usually target those bulldozers.
Israel says that UNIFIL is useless and that it did not prevent Hezbollah from militarily building up along the border. This year, the Trump administration adopted the Israeli position, and there was only one last renewal for this force until the end of next year, and then the force needs to start drawing down its troops.
Lebanon wants the UN to stay because the Lebanese army does not have enough troops to deploy there. The Lebanese state is committing itself to fully disarming Hezbollah. To do that, it needs army troops deployed in the south, and that’s why it needs UNIFIL.
Israel doesn't want a stable Lebanon. Their tactic is to keep every surrounding nation weak and prone to civil war while slowly taking more territory for so called 'buffer' zones. Egypt and Jordan only get a pass so far for cooperating with the Israeli occupation.
France urges protection of peacekeepers after Israeli attack near UN force in Lebanon
France has denounced an Israeli drone attack near UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, saying their role is “essential” and must be protected.
“The protection of the peacekeepers, as well as the security of United Nations personnel, equipment and premises must be ensured,” France’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
