UNIFIL official spokesperson Andrea Tenenti declared on Tuesday that UNIFIL wasn’t aware of the presence of a convoy of journalists on Monday in the village of Yaroun and that it didn’t take part in the organization or coordination of this visit.
The journalists’ convoy was targeted by two Israeli shells while reporting on the situation in south Lebanon. The targeted journalists confirmed that the Lebanese Army as well as UNIFIL organized and knew about the visit.
In an interview with the National News Agency (NNA), Tenenti emphasized that “journalists have an important job to do, especially in times of conflict, and they must be respected and protected at all times.”
“We are aware that journalists miraculously escaped serious injuries yesterday while covering near the Blue Line, and the peacekeepers assisted in the retrieval of their vehicles and equipment, coordinating this operation,” he added.
Moreover, the UNIFIL spokesperson affirmed that “frequent and unexpected exchanges of fire occur along the Blue Line, and we continue to urge everyone to stay away from these areas as much as possible for their protection.”
