UN peacekeepers in Lebanon come under Israeli fire, no casualties reported

BEIRUT - The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Sunday that one of its patrols came under Israeli fire, but no personnel were injured and no equipment was damaged.

"At around 5:45 pm (1545 GMT) Sunday, an Israeli drone approached a UNIFIL patrol near the village of Kafr Kila and dropped a bomb," the UNIFIL said in a statement. "Moments later, an Israeli tank fired toward the peacekeeping forces. Fortunately, no injuries or damage occurred to UNIFIL personnel or equipment."

The statement said the incident followed a prior encounter at the same location, when an Israeli drone flew aggressively over a patrol, prompting the UNIFIL to take defensive measures. The UNIFIL condemned the actions as violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and Lebanon's sovereignty, saying they endangered peacekeepers carrying out the Security Council's mandate in southern Lebanon.

There is no immediate response from the Israeli side.

UNIFIL positions have been targeted several times since cross-border clashes erupted after the Gaza war began in October 2023. Despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel has continued periodic strikes in Lebanon, citing Hezbollah threats, and has maintained border positions past a Feb 18 withdrawal deadline.