UN force says Israeli army fired near observer force in south Lebanon

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon says gunfire from an Israeli position hit close to its observer forces twice on Friday, reporting no casualties but decrying a “concerning trend.”

UNIFIL has repeatedly reported Israeli fire near or towards its personnel in recent months, and last week said an Israeli attack near one of its positions lightly wounded a peacekeeper.

Personnel patrolling in south Lebanon on Friday “reported 15 rounds of small arms fire that struck no more than 50 meters away from them,” a UNIFIL statement says.

Shortly afterwards, “peacekeepers in a second patrol in the same area reported approximately 100 rounds of machine-gun fire struck approximately 50 meters from them,” it adds, reporting no damage or injuries.

“Peacekeepers assessed that the fire came from an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) position south of the Blue Line in both cases,” the statement says, referring to the de facto border, and “sent a ‘stop fire’ request through its liaison channels.”

It says UNIFIL informed the Israeli army about the peacekeepers’ activities in advance.

“Incidents like these are happening on a too-regular basis, and becoming a concerning trend,” the statement says.

“We reiterate our call to the IDF to cease aggressive behavior and attacks on or near peacekeepers working for peace and stability along the Blue Line.”

There is no immediate comment from the IDF.