3 UN Military Observers, A Lebanese Interpreter Wounded In Blast While Patrolling Southern Border

BEIRUT — As they were patrolling the southern Lebanese border on Saturday, a shell burst close to three UN military observers and a Lebanese translator, injuring them, according to the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

The U.N. Truce Supervision Organization, which backs UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping effort in southern Lebanon, includes military observers. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti informed the Associated Press that the four injured were stable.

Tenenti added that UNIFIL had notified all parties involved in the conflict about their patrols as normal and that the observers’ van was marked with the UN. He added that the three military observers were unarmed and came from Chile, Australia, and Norway.

3 UN Military Observers, A Lebanese Interpreter Wounded In Blast While Patrolling Southern Border

The explosion occurred amid escalating hostilities in recent weeks between terrorists from Hezbollah and the Israeli forces. Since the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza began, both sides have been exchanging gunfire, raising fears that the almost daily skirmishes along the border known as the Blue Line may turn into a full-scale conflict.

According to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced the explosion and voiced “grave concern” over the ongoing gunfire between Israeli soldiers and armed groups in Lebanon since October 8, the day following Hamas’ unexpected strike on southern Israel.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced on both sides of the Blue Line, residential and agricultural areas have been destroyed, and dozens of civilians have died as a result of the clashes, which violate a 2006 Security Council resolution that ended hostilities in a war between Israel and Hezbollah militants, according to the UN chief.

The UN official stated, “These hostile actions not only pose a grave threat to the security and stability of Lebanon, Israel, and the region, but they have disrupted the livelihoods of thousands of people.”

Dujarric added that Guterres “urges all action to pursue a diplomatic solution to the crisis” and that the UN head is prepared to assist such efforts. Guterres has called for a cease-fire that is maintained beyond the 2006 cease-fire.

3 UN Military Observers, A Lebanese Interpreter Wounded In Blast While Patrolling Southern Border

An Israeli drone strike reportedly targeted the observers in the southern village of Wadi Katmoun, close to the border town of Rmeich, according to local Lebanese media, quoting security authorities.

“Contrary to the reports, the IDF did not strike a @UNIFIL —vehicle in the area of Rmeish this morning,” the Israeli military stated on social networking site X.

Tenenti stated that UNIFIL was “investigating the origin of the explosion,” but the continuing gunfight made it challenging to get investigators on the ground at once.

Tenenti informed the Associated Press that “the targeting of peacekeepers is unacceptable.” “We reiterate our demand that all parties involved in the heavy firefights stop before more people suffer needlessly.”

3 UN Military Observers, A Lebanese Interpreter Wounded In Blast While Patrolling Southern Border

In a statement, acting prime minister of Lebanon Najib Mikat denounced the incident.

Following Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon in 1978, UNIFIL was established to supervise the Israeli troops’ withdrawal from the region. After Israel and Hezbollah’s 2006 battle, the United Nations extended its mandate, enabling peacekeepers to station themselves along Israel’s border to assist the Lebanese military in regaining control of the country’s south for the first time in decades.

SOURCE – (AP)