UNIFIL: Israeli Army Opens Fire on Peacekeepers in South Lebanon
Peacekeeping patrol targeted by Merkava tank fire despite prior notification to the Israeli military.
Palestine, PUREWILAYAH.COM - The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that its peacekeepers, who were conducting a patrol along the Blue Line, came under fire from Israeli army soldiers operating a Merkava tank near the Sarda area in southern Lebanon.
In its statement, UNIFIL said:
“A single burst of ten rounds from machine guns was fired above the patrol, followed by four additional bursts of ten rounds each fired near it.”
The peacekeepers immediately contacted the Israeli army through UNIFIL’s liaison channels, requesting an immediate halt to the gunfire.
Both the Peacekeepers and the Israeli Tank Were Inside Lebanese Territory
UNIFIL noted that both the peacekeepers and the Israeli tank were inside Lebanese territory at the time of the incident. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
The statement added that the Israeli army had been informed in advance about the patrol’s location and timing, in line with the procedures followed when conducting patrols in sensitive areas near the Blue Line.
UNIFIL: A Serious Violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701
UNIFIL stressed that “this attack on, or near, peacekeepers constitutes a serious violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.”
“In these very sensitive circumstances, we call on the Israeli army to cease aggressive behavior and stop attacks on or near peacekeepers, who are working to restore stability along the Blue Line,” the mission added. (PW)