Lebanon condemns attacks on UNIFIL, reaffirms Hezbollah weapons ban

Lebanon's Foreign Ministry on Monday strongly condemned a series of shooting incidents targeting United Nations peacekeeping forces in the country's south, calling the attacks a violation of international law. Gunfire was directed at patrols from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Sunday near the towns of Yater, Deir Kifa, and Qlaileh as they conducted routine operations close to their bases, according to an official statement.

Ministry asserts peacekeepers' rights

The ministry described the attacks on the peacekeepers as a serious and unacceptable act that contravenes UN Security Council resolutions. It underscored that under its mandate and the framework of Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006, UNIFIL retains the right to take necessary measures for self-defense and to counter any forceful attempts to hinder its mission. Beirut also expressed its full solidarity with the mission's leadership and the troop-contributing countries, emphasizing the vital role the peacekeepers play in maintaining stability in southern Lebanon.

Reference to recent cabinet decision

In its condemnation, the ministry explicitly linked the situation to a cabinet decision passed on March 2, which declared the military and security activities of Hezbollah illegal and mandated the group to hand over its weapons to the Lebanese state. The statement characterized the government's position as clear and unambiguous, asserting that no armed entity operating outside state authority would be permitted to drag Lebanon into chaos for what it termed "suspicious agendas." The Lebanese state, it added, is firmly committed to asserting its sovereignty across all its territory and confining weapons to legitimate state institutions to protect the country's security and the interests of its people.

Context of regional escalation

The incidents and the government's firm response come amid a volatile regional landscape. Tensions have soared since late February following joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran, which reportedly resulted in nearly 1,300 fatalities, including a former Iranian leader. In this context, Hezbollah, which has alliances with Iran, announced on March 2 that it had begun targeting Israeli military sites. The group stated its actions were a response to repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the killing of key Iranian figures in the US-Israeli strikes.