UN peacekeepers' patrol comes under fire in southern Lebanon
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon reported that around a dozen shots were fired at their patrol near Wadi Jilou in the Tyre area. There were no casualties.
On Tuesday, a patrol of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) came under fire in the Tyre area of southern Lebanon. The mission did not specify who opened fire. The patrol responded, after which the shooting ceased.
UNIFIL called for an investigation into the incident and reminded all parties of their obligation to ensure the safety of UN personnel and property. According to the mission's statement, deliberate attacks on peacekeepers violate UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and international humanitarian law.
The mission was established by the UN Security Council in March 1978. Currently, it comprises around 7,500 personnel from nearly 50 countries. The Council previously decided to conclude UNIFIL's mandate on 31 December 2026, though Lebanese authorities advocate for its extension.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that G7 ministers in Paris supported the need to prevent a security vacuum following the mission's mandate expiration. According to him, they also called for a swift transition to a new security architecture, but an agreement on replacing UNIFIL has not yet been reached.
