UN peacekeeper wounded by Israeli gunfire near patrol in southern Lebanon

A United Nations peacekeeper was injured following gunfire from Israeli army positions and a nearby explosion during a patrol in southern Lebanon on Friday. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported the incident, condemning it as a serious violation of the Security Council resolution that governs the fragile ceasefire in the region.

Details of the Incident in Bastarra

According to a UNIFIL statement, heavy machine gun fire originating from Israeli positions south of the Blue Line impacted near a UN patrol that was inspecting a roadblock in the village of Bastarra. A grenade explosion followed shortly after. The force of the gunfire and explosion caused one peacekeeper to suffer a slight ear concussion, though no further damage was reported. The mission stated it had informed the Israeli army in advance about the patrol's activities, following standard protocol for operations in sensitive border areas.

A Second Incident in Kfar Shouba

In a separate occurrence on the same day, a second UNIFIL patrol performing routine duties in the village of Kfar Shouba also reported machine gun fire from the Israeli side in immediate proximity to their position. UNIFIL described such actions targeting or occurring near its personnel as "serious violations of Security Council resolution 1701" and reiterated its call for the Israeli army to "cease aggressive behaviour and attacks on or near peacekeepers working for peace and stability along the Blue Line."

Context of a Fragile Ceasefire

These breaches occur against the backdrop of a tense ceasefire that has been in place since November 2024, ending over a year of cross-border attacks that killed thousands. However, the truce remains precarious. Lebanon's Health Ministry reports that at least 335 people have been killed and 973 wounded in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began. Furthermore, Israel has only partially withdrawn from southern Lebanon, maintaining a presence at several border outposts despite an agreement stipulating a full withdrawal by January 2025. Türkiye, which consistently advocates for the full implementation of UN resolutions and respect for international peacekeeping missions, views such violations as grave threats to regional stability and the safety of personnel dedicated to maintaining peace.