The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has expressed growing concern over intensified military activity involving both Hezbollah-linked elements and the Israeli military near its positions in southern Lebanon, warning that recent drone incidents have placed peacekeepers at direct risk.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, UNIFIL said it has observed an increase in drone operations in proximity to its bases, several of which have resulted in explosions near or inside UN facilities.
According to the mission, on 11 May three presumed drones linked to Hezbollah detonated in an area where Israel Defense Forces (IDF) personnel could have been present, within metres of UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura. A further drone detonated in the same area the following day, on 12 May.
UNIFIL added that minutes after the second incident, another drone exploded inside its Naqoura headquarters. While no casualties were reported, several buildings sustained damage.
In a separate incident on 10 May, a drone crashed into an open area inside the same UN compound. UNIFIL said an explosive ordnance disposal team later confirmed the device was not armed, and an investigation is underway to determine its origin. However, preliminary findings suggest the drone was of Iranian manufacture, raising the possibility it was launched by Hezbollah.
Earlier, on 5 May, an armed fibre-optic guided drone, also presumed to be linked to Hezbollah, crashed through the roof of a UN position near Al-Hinniyah. The device did not detonate, and no injuries were reported.
UNIFIL said it continues to remind all parties to avoid operating in close proximity to United Nations positions and personnel, stressing that such actions place peacekeepers in danger. The mission noted it has formally protested IDF activity and movements near its headquarters, while also raising concerns with the Lebanese Armed Forces regarding the presence of non-state armed actors near UN positions.
Despite what it described as increasingly challenging conditions, UNIFIL said its peacekeepers continue to impartially document developments in southern Lebanon and report them to the UN Security Council.
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