The United Nations on Wednesday condemned what it called a serious attack on its peacekeepers in southern Lebanon after Israeli grenades detonated dangerously close to them.
UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) troops were clearing roadblocks near the Blue Line, the de facto border between Israel and Lebanon, on Tuesday morning when drones dropped four grenades nearby.
“One landed about 20 metres from our personnel and vehicles, while three more exploded within a 100-metre radius,” UNIFIL said, adding that the Israeli military had been notified of the peacekeepers’ movements in advance.
The drones later withdrew into Israel, the UN reported.
The incident comes despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah that has held since late November, though daily violations are reported. Under the deal, Hezbollah is meant to stay north of the Litani River, 30 kilometres from the border — a pullback UN forces are tasked with monitoring.
