BEIRUT, LEBANON – Three UN military observers and a Lebanese interpreter were injured during a foot patrol along the Blue Line when an explosion occurred in the vicinity, according to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Saturday.
The incident, which took place near the Blue Line, a border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel, resulted in injuries to the UN personnel, who have since been evacuated for medical treatment. UNIFIL, established in 1978 by the United Nations Security Council, plays a crucial role in monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon following the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
UNIFIL’s spokesperson Andrea Tenenti emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of UN personnel and called on all actors to abide by international humanitarian law to protect non-combatants, including peacekeepers, journalists, medical personnel, and civilians. The organization is currently investigating the origin of the explosion, while the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied any involvement in the incident.
In a separate incident in December 2023, one of UNIFIL’s peacekeepers was reportedly injured during a patrol in southern Lebanon after being attacked by local male villagers. The attack was condemned by UNIFIL as a violation of Resolution 1701, which aims to stabilize the region following the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. UNIFIL has been the target of several recent attacks, including one peacekeeper being injured by Israeli gunfire in November and another amid clashes between Israeli and Hezbollah forces in October.
UNIFIL continues to work closely with the Lebanese government to restore effective authority in the area, ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, and provide humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in the region. The organization’s efforts to maintain peace and stability in the volatile region remain crucial amidst ongoing tensions and security challenges.