The interim strength of the United Nations in Lebanon (Finul) denounced on Wednesday an attack on Israeli drones against its peacekeepers, near the blue line on the Israeli-Lebanese border. The incident, described as one of the most serious since last November ceasefire, has not been injured but led to the suspension of clearing operations.
According to the Finul, the Israeli army dropped four grenades Tuesday morning near a UN convoy. The peacekeepers then carried out road obstacles clearance hindering access to one of their positions.
The finish denounces “a serious attack”
A grenade fell less than 20 meters from the staff and three more to a hundred meters from the UN vehicles. Israel had however been informed in advance of these operations, said the UN mission. Following the incident, the operations were suspended.
The Finilire denounced a “serious violation of the UN Security Council resolution 1701, as well as international law. She recalled that her mandate is to ensure the role of buffer between Israel and Lebanon and to prevent any unauthorized military presence in the south of the country. For the time being, Israel has not officially reacted to the accusations.
Fragile peace in South Lebanon
The Finul has been deployed in Lebanon since 1978. Its mandate, renewed for the last time, must end in 2027 under pressure from the United States and Israel.
On November 27, 2024, a cease-fire negotiated under American mediation ended more than a year of clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, including two months of open war.
The agreement provides that only the Lebanese army and the finish are present in the south of the country, excluding both Hezbollah and the Israeli army.
However, the Israeli army still maintains positions in five strategic border points and regularly leads strikes against the Lebanese Shiite movement.
