UN forces in Lebanon denounce that a rocket has hit their headquarters and target Hezbollah

Eight Austrian soldiers from the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) were injured this Tuesday by the impact of the rocket, according to the Austrian Ministry of Defense in a statement.

These blue helmets, members of the Austrian contingent in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), “were injured today at 12:58 p.m. by the impact of a rocket at the Naqoura barracks; none of them serious,” the note indicates. “At the moment it is not possible to specify the origin of the attack,” he adds. That note specifies that the wounds suffered by the eight soldiers have been “mild and superficial,” without any requiring emergency medical treatment. “We condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms and ask that it be investigated immediately,” the Ministry states in the note.

At the same time, UNIFIL has reported that a rocket has hit its headquarters in Naqoura, setting a vehicle workshop on fire. The blue helmets, the note continues, “were not in the bunkers at that time.” “Although some peacekeepers suffered minor injuries, fortunately no one was seriously injured,” the statement added.

The UN force has pointed to Hezbollah or another affiliated group as responsible for the attack. “The rocket was fired from north of UNIFIL headquarters, probably by Hezbollah or an affiliated group. “We have opened an investigation into the incident.” “We remind Hezbollah and all actors of their obligation to ensure the security of UN personnel and assets. “Any deliberate attack against them constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law and Resolution 1701.”

Israel is carrying out an intense bombing campaign in southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as in Beirut, which has killed most of the more than 2,200 people in Lebanon since October 2023, and has demanded the UNIFIL to vacate its positions along the so-called Blue Line, the dividing line between Lebanon and Israel.

Since last October 11, this UN mission, made up of more than 10,000 members and some 13,000 soldiers from 10 main countries, has reported having been the target of several attacks attributed to Israel.