UNIFIL opens an investigation into the injury of 3 of its officers in an explosion in southern Lebanon

An Israeli drone bombed a UNIFIL vehicle in a village in southern Lebanon, resulting in several casualties. UNIFIL later announced the opening of an investigation into the attack.

On Saturday, the United Nations peacekeeping forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced the opening of an investigation into an explosion that occurred in southern Lebanon, which led to the injury of three of its observers and a civilian translator in southern Lebanon.

UNIFIL official spokesman Andrea Tenenti said in a statement: “While the three international observers and the Lebanese translator were conducting a foot patrol along the Blue (border) line, an explosion occurred near their location, which led to them being injured and they were evacuated to receive medical treatment.”

Tenenti explained, "UNIFIL is investigating the origin of the explosion."

The statement stressed that "elements of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization support UNIFIL in carrying out its work (in southern Lebanon)."

He also called for "providing safety and security for United Nations personnel, and all actors under international humanitarian law have a responsibility to ensure protection for non-combatants, including peacekeepers, journalists, medical personnel and civilians."

He added: "We reiterate our call on all parties to stop the current violent exchange of fire before more people are unnecessarily harmed."

Earlier today, Saturday, the Lebanese News Agency said, “An Israeli drone targeted a UNIFIL military vehicle near the border town of Rmeish, resulting in the injury of a number of UNIFIL forces.”

She explained that "a four-wheel-drive vehicle belonging to the truce monitors, while on patrol near the town of Rmeish, was attacked by a drone strike, which led to the injury of 3 officers and a civilian translator, one of whom was in critical condition."

She added: "A UNIFIL helicopter immediately arrived at the site of the strike and transported the wounded."

The Israeli occupation army claimed, through its spokesman, Avichay Adraee, that it did not target any UN forces vehicle in the Rmeish area.

In the wake of a devastating Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, since October 8, 2023, the Israeli-Lebanese border has witnessed an exchange of fire between the Israeli occupation army on the one hand, and Hezbollah and Palestinian factions on the other hand, which led to deaths and injuries on both sides of the border.