Fifth UN peacekeeper injured in two days as Israel-Hezbollah border conflict escalates

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)on Saturday (Oct 12) saidthat an unknown gunshot hit a peacekeeper the previous day, marking the fifth injury near the Israeli border in southern Lebanon within two days.

“Last night, a peacekeeper at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura was hit by gunfire due to ongoing military activity nearby. He underwent surgery at our Naqoura hospital to remove the bullet and is currently stable. We do not yet know the origin of the fire," read the statement.

The statement further added, “Also last night, buildings in our UN position in Ramyah sustained significant damage due to explosions from nearby shelling.”

Third attack in a row

On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) tookresponsibility for an incident in which two Sri Lankan soldiers serving with UNIFIL were wounded. According to the IDF, its troops, operating near the UNIFIL base in Naqoura, perceived a threat and opened fire.

The Israeli military has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation “at the highest levels.” A day earlier, two Indonesian peacekeepers were hurt when they fell from an observation post after an Israeli tank fired in their direction.

Nations urgeIsrael to cease firing at UN peacekeepersin Lebanon

"As a major Troop Contributing Country, India aligns itself fully with the joint statement issued by the 34 @UNIFIL_troop contributing countries. Safety and security of peacekeepers are of paramount importance and must be ensured in accordance with extant UNSC Resolutions," the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations said in a statement on X.

In response to these incidents, United States President Joe Biden has expressed his firm stance, urging Israel to cease firing at UN peacekeepers in Lebanon during its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. "Absolutely, positively," he said, calling for an immediate end to such actions after the two events in just 48 hours.

In a joint statement, the leaders of France, Italy, and Spain also criticised Israel’s actions, deeming them indefensible and demanding an immediate halt.

Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry issued a strong condemnation of the IDF's attack, which left two of its peacekeepers injured.

Meanwhile, the exchange of missile and rocket fire between the IDF and Hezbollah continued along the Israel-Lebanon border, as Israel's invasion of southern Lebanon persists.

The IDF reported that around 100 rockets were fired into northern Israel from Lebanon within 30 minutes on Friday.

(With inputs from agencies)

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