BEIRUT: Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister on Saturday condemned a “dangerous incident” in which UN staff were wounded by shelling.
The three UN observers and a translator had been carrying out a patrol in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah and Israel have traded blows since Oct. 8 last year.
UNIFIL, the UN’s peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, is investigating the source of the attack, spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said.
Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry filed an urgent complaint before the UN Security Council over the attack, accusing Israel of targeting the patrol.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati spoke with UNIFIL commander Aroldo Lozaro, condemning the “targeting” and wounding of the peacekeepers, according to a statement from his office.
It was reported that an SUV belonging to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization observers near the B37 point on the Blue Line was attacked at around 10:15 a.m. next to Rmaych village.
A shell hit the vehicle, injuring the three observers and translator, who are from Australia, Chile, Norway and Lebanon, respectively.
They were taken on a UNIFIL helicopter to Saint George Hospital in Beirut for treatment.
The Lebanese Foreign Ministry statement said: “The attack is part of Israel’s deliberate policy to disrespect resolutions of international legitimacy and its representatives since 1948, and its constant desire to eliminate all matters relating to the work of such legitimacy, including its endeavor to halt the financing of UNRWA, to eliminate the rights of the Palestinian people.”
The ministry described the attack as “a violation of international law and humanitarian law,” adding that it follows the “targeting of journalists, first responders, children, women and civilians.”
The incident took place amid hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, with cross-border strikes occurring almost daily since October last year.
On Saturday, an Israeli drone targeted a Lebanese army site in Aita Al-Shaab, with no casualties reported.
Over the past two weeks, Israel has stepped up its drone campaign to monitor and assassinate Hezbollah fighters and officials in southern Lebanon, reaching the far north of Bekaa.
Israeli drones have struck people going in and out of houses and cafes, as well as ambulances, killing civilians, first responders and Hezbollah members.
The campaign has led to claims that the injured UN staff had been hit by an Israeli drone.
But one source in contact with UNIFIL told Arab News that the organization “cannot accuse any party before investigating the matter.”
Lebanese media reports from the south claimed that an Israeli drone hit the UNIFIL vehicle, with the incident “resembling similar daily attacks that occur in the south.”
The Israeli army, through its spokesman Avichay Adraee, denied Israeli involvement in the attack.
The source close to UNIFIL said that the observers were conducting a routine patrol near Rmaych.
“The location of the attack is geographically a valley, not a confrontation zone. These observers were north of the Blue Line, meaning within Lebanese territory, and did not cross the line,” they added.
The source highlighted recent reports submitted by the UNIFIL to the UN that held Israel responsible for shelling civilians, as well as health and ambulance teams.
“Perhaps this is what disturbed Israel, so it sent a message,” they added.
Tenenti, UNIFIL’s spokesman, said: “UNTSO observers support UNIFIL in carrying out its mandate.”
He urged the need to “ensure the safety and security of UN personnel,” warning that all parties have a responsibility under international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of civilians.
The spokesman called for an end to “the heavy exchange of fire before more people become unnecessarily vulnerable to harm.”
Meanwhile, Israel continued its campaign against Hezbollah, shelling the towns of Maroun Al-Ras, Yaroun and Taybeh, and destroying three uninhabited houses. The cities of Blida and Naqoura were also targeted.
Hezbollah said it had hit Israel military assets at the Al-Malikiyah site and Ramim barracks using Burkan rockets. The group also struck a radar site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms.
