The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) accused this Thursday (10) the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah of operating near posts of the forces of the United Nations Peace Mission in Lebanon (Unifil) and acknowledged having fired shots near the base of Naqoura, where two Indonesian soldiers from the mission were slightly injured.
“Our troops operated in the Naqoura region, close to a Unifil base. We instructed UN forces to remain in protected locations, and then the forces opened fire,” the IDF said in a statement.
Israeli forces added that they continue to operate in southern Lebanon and maintain “normal communication” with Unifil.
At least two members of the UN mission were injured this Thursday in an Israeli attack that hit a watchtower at the Unifil headquarters.
“This morning, two soldiers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired at an observation tower at the Unifil headquarters in Naqoura, hitting it directly and causing it to fall,” the UN mission reported.
“The barracks in Naqoura and nearby positions have been hit repeatedly in recent days,” the peacekeeping mission said of the situation of its troops amid crossfire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Following the incident, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq reported in New York that UNIFIL peacekeepers remained at their posts because “they have a vital role to play in ensuring stability in this part” of southern Lebanon. .
Ten days ago, Israel carried out a series of ground operations in “limited” areas of Lebanese territory close to the common border, coinciding with an intense bombing campaign in that region and also in eastern Lebanon and the suburbs of Beirut.
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