The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon protested Wednesday against a "direct fire" incident by the Israeli army targeting one of its positions in southern Lebanon — the first such incident since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), part of an international committee overseeing the ceasefire agreement, said the incident marked a serious violation. The truce, reached on November 27, ended two months of open warfare between the Israeli military and the pro-Iranian Islamist group Hezbollah.
In a statement, UNIFIL expressed concern over "the recent aggressive posture of the Israeli army involving UNIFIL personnel and property near the Blue" Line"—the de facto border between Israel and Lebanon demarcated by the UN.
The force cited an incident that occurred Wednesday "in which direct fire struck the perimeter of a UNIFIL position south of the village of Kfarchouba."
"This is the first time a UNIFIL position has been directly hit since the cessation of hostilities," the mission stated, also reporting other "aggressive behavior by the Israeli army toward peacekeepers."
"UNIFIL protests such acts and continues to remind all parties of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and assets," the statement added.
Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, the Israeli army was to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by January 26, leaving only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers deployed in the area.
However, Israel has retained five positions in southern Lebanon and continues to conduct strikes, claiming to target Hezbollah members or infrastructure.
Hezbollah, significantly weakened, is required under the deal to pull its forces north of the Litani River — roughly 30 kilometers from the Israeli border — and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.
AFP
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