A strike on a Unifil site in Lebanon caused a fire but no serious injuries, The National has learnt, as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres conducted a “solidarity” visit to the country.
“One of our positions near Meiss Al Jabal was hit, likely by heavy machinegun fire. The impact caused a fire, and one peacekeeper on his way to the shelter was lightly injured,” a Unifil spokesperson said on Saturday.
The Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported on Friday that the strike hit the Nepalese battalion headquarters in the town, close to the Blue Line. It accused Israel of carrying out the strike, but the UN has not assigned blame.
“We have launched an investigation. We remind all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers at all times,” the Unifil statement added.
A UN official told The National that peacekeepers had taken shelter in bunkers at the time of the strike, avoiding a "worst-case scenario”. The official also expressed deep concern over "repeated violations".
Last week, Ghanaian peacekeepers were wounded in a strike on their position in the town of Qawzah.
Unifil (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) peacekeepers have been present in the country since 1978, and are charged with monitoring the cessation of hostilities with Israel and supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Mr Guterres is in Lebanon until Sunday on a “solidarity” visit, as Israel continues to carry out strikes against Iran-backed group Hezbollah in the country.
He appealed to the international community to contribute aid for the Lebanese people as the US-Israeli war against Iran draws Lebanon further into conflict.
Israel has continued to target sites across Lebanon, after Hezbollah launched attacks following the killing of former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on February 28.
More than 770 people have been killed in Lebanon as Israel's attacks expand and intensify to include civilian and residential areas and infrastructure. The toll includes at least 100 children.
On Friday, the Lebanese Health Ministry said 12 medical workers were killed in an Israeli strike on a healthcare centre in Burj Qalawiya in the southern part of the country.
