Israel Fires at UN Peacekeepingโค Forces in South Lebanon
Yaroun, Lebanon – Israeli forces fired toward a UNIFIL patrolโ in southern Lebanon onโค Friday,โ November 17, 2023, prompting condemnation from theโ peacekeeping mission and โคescalating tensions along the volatile border. No โขinjuries were reported โขamong the peacekeepers. The incidentโข occurred near the town of Yaroun, where Israel hasโ recently constructed a controversial concrete wall.
The shooting represents a perilous escalation in a region โคalready on edge due too ongoingโฃ clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been monitoring the area for violations of the Blue Line – โthe internationally recognized border between Lebanon and Israel – and โฃhas repeatedly called for restraint. This latest event raises concerns about the safety ofโ UN โpersonnel and the potential for widerโฃ conflict, โas diplomatic efforts to de-escalate theโฃ situation continue.
UNIFIL โขreported that the patrol was conducting a routine โobservation when it cameโข under fire. “Shots were fired in theโข vicinity of โUNIFIL peacekeepers,” a statement from the mission read. “UNIFIL is investigating the incident and is in contactโ with the Israel Defense forces (IDF) to ascertain the circumstances.”
The incident follows UNIFIL’s recent reports regardingโ the construction of โa T-shaped concrete โฃwall by Israel, which the peacekeeping โคforce asserts breaches the Blue Line. According to UNIFIL surveys, โขthe wall โobstructs the border โin multipleโฃ locations, including southwest of โYaroun,โข rendering approximately 4,000 square meters ofโ Lebanese territoryโข inaccessible to Lebanese citizens.
“A โT-shaped concrete wall was erected by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) southwest of Yaroun. Surveys confirmed that the โwall blocked the โBlueโค Line,” UNIFIL stated on November 14. “in november peacekeepers observed construction of a T-shaped wall in the area. Surveys confirmed a section of the wall southeast of Yarounโค also blocks the Blue Line.”
The IDF has denied UNIFIL’s claims, maintainingโ that the wall remains within Israeli territory and serves as a defensive measure followingโ hostilities in 2022. “It must be emphasized that the wall does notโค break the blueโฃ Line,” an โIDF spokesperson said.
Established in 1978, UNIFIL’s mandate is toโฃ monitor the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, โฃsupport theโค Lebanese Armed Forces, and โขensure humanitarian access. The Blue Line, demarcated by the โUNโฃ in 2000, is not a formal border but โa line of withdrawalโข reflecting Israel’s retreat from โขLebanon. โDisputes over the line’s interpretation and alleged violations haveโ beenโ a recurring source of tension.