Tensions escalated on Friday in the southern Lebanese village of Jmaijmeh (Bint Jbeil) when a patrol from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was stopped by residents while attempting to enter private property without being accompanied by the Lebanese Army. According to local sources, villagers and landowners confronted the UN soldiers and blocked their advance.
In response, members of the UN patrol reportedly fired warning shots into the air and deployed a tear gas to disperse the crowd. The situation remained volatile until a unit of the Lebanese Army arrived at the scene to de-escalate the standoff and restore calm.
The clash adds to a growing list of confrontations between UNIFIL and local residents this year. Friday’s incident marks at least the fifth such altercation in 2025 alone, reflecting simmering tensions in the region, where international peacekeepers have faced increasing pushback from communities in South Lebanon. Locals denounce the patrol’s actions, citing a lack of prior coordination with the Lebanese military and the absence of an escort.
UNIFIL Condemns the Incident
UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti strongly condemned the incident calling the targeting of UN forces “unacceptable.”
According to Tenenti, the individuals reportedly used metal rods and axes to damage UN vehicles, though no injuries were recorded. UN peacekeepers responded using non-lethal methods, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) intervened quickly to de-escalate the situation and escort the patrol safely back to its base.
Tenenti emphasized that the patrol had been pre-coordinated with the LAF and noted that UNIFIL operates under a mandate from the United Nations Security Council. This mandate ensures the mission’s freedom of movement across its area of operations. Any attempt to obstruct UNIFIL's activities, he warned, constitutes a violation of Security Council Resolution 1701.
UNIFIL called on all parties to respect the safety and operational independence of its personnel and to refrain from any actions that could endanger the mission or its peacekeepers.
Israeli Drone Crashes in Marjayoun
Earlier in the day, the LAF issued a separate statement confirming the crash of an Israeli drone in the area of Marjayoun. Army units secured the crash site and transported the drone to a specialized unit for technical examination.
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