UNIFIL says troops attacked by individuals in south Lebanon
United Nations peacekeepers said rock-throwing individuals confronted them during a patrol on Tuesday in south Lebanon, calling attacks on their troops 'unacceptable.'
STATEMENT:
This morning, UNIFIL peacekeepers conducting a planned patrol coordinated with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) were confronted by a group of individuals in civilian clothing in the vicinity of Hallusiyat al Tahta, in southern Lebanon.
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) June 10, 2025
The UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), deployed since 1978 to separate Lebanon and Israel, sits in a five-member committee to supervise the ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.
In a statement, UNIFIL said peacekeepers conducting 'a planned patrol' coordinated with the Lebanese army were 'confronted by a group of individuals in civilian clothing in the vicinity of Hallusiyat al-Tahta, in southern Lebanon.'
'The group attempted to obstruct the patrol using aggressive means, including throwing stones at the peacekeepers,' the statement read, adding that 'one peacekeeper was struck' but no injuries were reported.
The situation was diffused when the Lebanese army intervened, allowing the peacekeeping force to continue its patrol.
'It is unacceptable that UNIFIL peacekeepers continue to be targeted,' the statement added.
The past weeks saw several confrontations between people in south Lebanon, where Hezbollah holds sway, and UN peacekeepers.
Confrontations are typically diffused by the Lebanese army and rarely escalate.
In December 2022, an Irish peacekeeper was killed in a shooting at a UN armored vehicle in the south. Hezbollah surrendered a man accused of the crime, but he was released around a year later.
The November ceasefire agreement, which sought to end over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, states that only Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers may be deployed in the country's south.
Israel is supposed to fully withdraw its troops from Lebanon according to the deal, but has remained in five positions it has deemed 'strategic' and has repeatedly bombed the country.
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