Israeli gunfire near United Nations peacekeepers along the “Blue Line” border lightly wounded one peacekeeper on Friday, the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon said.
UNIFIL said in a statement that heavy machine‑gun fire from Israel Defense Forces positions south of the demarcation line struck near a patrol inspecting a roadblock in the village of Bastarra. The gunfire came after a grenade detonated in the area. No U.N. equipment was damaged, but one peacekeeper suffered a minor ear concussion.
A second incident occurred the same day in Kfarchouba, where another routine patrol came under “close‑range” machine‑gun fire from the Israeli side, the mission said.
UNIFIL said the IDF had been informed in advance of both patrols’ movements under established coordination procedures.
“Attacks on or near peacekeepers are serious violations of Security Council Resolution 1701,” the mission said, calling on the IDF to halt “aggressive behavior” toward its personnel.
The IDF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
UNIFIL positions have been hit before during exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, causing injuries.
A U.S.- and French‑brokered cease‑fire between Hezbollah and Israel has been in place since Nov. 27, 2024, ending months of cross‑border clashes linked to the war in Gaza. Despite the truce, Israel has continued to carry out strikes in Lebanon, citing Hezbollah threats, and has kept troops at five positions along the border after a Feb. 18 deadline for full withdrawal passed.