UNIFIL patrol comes under fire in southern Lebanon

UNIFIL said on Tuesday that ‘about a dozen rounds’ were fired at one of its patrols, without identifying the assailants. UNIFIL said on Tuesday that “about a dozen rounds” were fired at one of its patrols near Wadi Jilu, in Lebanon’s Tyre district, without specifying the entity behind the shooting. The patrol returned fire, after which the shooting stopped.

UNIFIL reported no casualties and called for an investigation. “We reiterate the obligation under international law for all actors to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times. Deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are violations of Security Council resolution 1701 and international humanitarian law,” UNIFIL said.

UNIFIL is a peacekeeping mission established by the UN Security Council in March 1978, days after Israel invaded Lebanon. The force has acted as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon ever since, but its presence has been unable to prevent several rounds of conflict, including the latest between Israel and Hezbollah.