United Nations chief condemns explosion that injured several UN observers in southern Lebanon

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack which left three UN observers and a translator injured, on Saturday (Mar 30), when a shell exploded near them as they were patrolling the southern Lebanese border on foot.

Three UN observers, one translator injured

Unarmed technical observers of the UN peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL andUnited Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO),had been stationed in southern Lebanon amid the clashes between the Israeli military and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah along the demarcation line between the two countries known as the Blue Line.

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Both sides have exchanged fire amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. The UNIFIL, in a statement called the attack on peacekeepers “unacceptable” and said that the staff wounded had been evacuated for treatment.

“This morning, three OGL (UNTSO) military observers and one Lebanese language assistant on a foot patrol along the Blue Line were injured when an explosion occurred near their location,”Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), said in a statement.

The origin of the explosion is being investigated, said Tenenti. The spokesperson further speaking tonews agency AFP said that two observers were from Australia and Chile and that all four were in “stable” condition.

A Norwegian UN observer was “lightly injured” and had been taken to the hospital, Norway’s defence ministry spokesperson Hanne Olafsen told Norwegian news agency NTB. Olafsen added that the circumstances surrounding the attack were unclear.

Reports by news agencies citing sources said that an Israeli drone strike targeted the observers in the village of Wadi Katmoun outside the border town of Rmeish.

‘Grave concern’

Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the UN chief, said Guterres condemned the explosion and expressed “grave concern” over the exchange of fire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.

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

The safety of peacekeepers should be ensured, said the spokesperson.

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati spoke to UNIFIL commander Aroldo Lozaro and condemned the “targeting” and wounding of UN staff, a release by the PM’s office stated.

Israel denies allegations

In response to the allegations the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) took to social media to denyany involvement in the incident.

“Contrary to the reports, the IDF did not strike a @UNIFIL_ vehicle in the area of Rmeish this morning,” said the Israeli military.

(With inputs from agencies)