The UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) came under fire on Thursday after noticing an arms cache on the roadside, according to a statement issued on its Telegram channel.
“A UNIFIL patrol near Qallawiyah (in the Bint Jbeil district in southern Lebanon) noticed this morning a cache of ammunition near the roadway. After informing the Lebanese Armed Forces of the discovery, the peacekeepers continued on their planned route,” the statement said, adding, “a short while later, they got out of their vehicle to remove some debris from the roadway. When getting back into their vehicles, two or three unknown people fired approximately 30 shots in their direction.”
“The peacekeepers fired back from their vehicles and moved to safety,” the statement said, indicating that “no one was hurt and there was no damage to the vehicles.”
UNIFIL pointed out that “it is unclear if the discovery of the weapons cache and the attack are directly linked,” stating that they have launched an investigation.
“Peacekeepers cannot be targeted, ever. Firing toward them is a flagrant violation of international law and of Resolution 1701,” the statement said.
UNIFIL reminded “the Lebanese authorities of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers who are carrying out sensitive and important work on Lebanese territory.”
“We have requested the Lebanese authorities undertake a full and complete investigation of this incident and bring the perpetrators to justice,” the statement added.
It stressed that “despite these and other challenges, peacekeepers remain in all positions and will continue to impartially monitor and report on violations of Resolution 1701.”
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