In a series of military actions that have heightened tensions in the region, Israeli forces conducted an airstrike in southern Lebanon, resulting in the death of two Lebanese soldiers and injuries to three others. The incidents occurred on Friday, according to Lebanon’s military statements. The airstrike came hours after Israeli military operations targeted the headquarters of United Nations peacekeepers in the same area, injuring two peacekeepers. This marks the second consecutive day of attacks on the peacekeeping force’s headquarters.
Lebanon’s army reported that the Israeli airstrike hit its forces in the southern part of the country, a region long fraught with tension due to its proximity to the Israeli border. The soldiers were part of Lebanon’s official army, which has largely stayed out of the recent upsurge in cross-border violence. Details regarding the exact location and the circumstances surrounding the airstrike have not yet been fully disclosed.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), tasked with maintaining peace in the region, confirmed that two of its peacekeepers were injured in an attack on their headquarters. UNIFIL did not reveal the nationalities of the injured peacekeepers or the specific nature of their injuries. However, it stressed the seriousness of the situation, emphasizing the violation of the safety and security of its personnel.
The Israeli military has not publicly addressed the specific reasons for the airstrike on the Lebanese army or the repeated attacks on the UN peacekeeping force. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been engaged in various operations along the Lebanon-Israel border, primarily targeting Hezbollah positions. The situation has become increasingly volatile, with periodic exchanges of fire and heightened military readiness on both sides.
Lebanon’s government has condemned the airstrike and the attacks on the UNIFIL headquarters as a breach of international peace agreements. Lebanese officials have called for international intervention to prevent further escalation and ensure the protection of their soldiers and UN personnel. The Lebanese Foreign Ministry has reached out to the United Nations and other international bodies, urging them to take decisive action to stop what it described as “unprovoked aggression.”
