UNIFIL says it is investigating cross-border Lebanon-Israel fire, urges ‘restraint’

By AP 6 July 2023, 3:20 pm

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Explosions are seen in Lebanon following IDF artillery strikes in response to a rocket fired at northern Israel, July 6, 2023. (Screenshot: Twitter)

The UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, says it could not verify that rocket fire caused the explosion along the border with Israel this morning, but that the sounds were “consistent with a possible launch.”

UNIFIL says it sent peacekeepers to investigate what happened while the head of the mission speaks to both Lebanese and Israeli authorities to ease the situation.

“This incident comes at a sensitive time and in an area that has already experienced tensions earlier this week,” UNIFIL says in a statement. “We urge everyone to exercise restraint and avoid any action that could cause further escalation.”