Latest news with #HallusiyatAlTahta
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
UN peacekeepers clash with locals in southern Lebanon
UN peacekeepers said they were attacked in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam saying such incidents 'endanger the security and stability' of the region. The UN peacekeeping mission (Unifil) said a patrol, which had been co-ordinated with the Lebanese Army, was confronted by people throwing rocks in the vicinity of Hallusiyat Al Tahta. A video posted online showed a Finnish peacekeeper being slapped by one of the group. 'The group attempted to obstruct the patrol using aggressive means, including throwing stones at the peacekeepers. One peacekeeper was struck, fortunately, no injuries were reported,' Unifil said. 'In response, Unifil personnel employed non-lethal measures to ensure the safety of both the patrol members and those present,' it added. The situation was defused when the Lebanese army intervened, allowing the peacekeeping force to continue its patrol, Unifil said. 'It is unacceptable that Unifil peacekeepers continue to be targeted,' it added. Unifil is part of a five-member committee to supervise the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed group and political party. Mr Salam condemned the 'repeated attacks' against Unifil, saying 'these actions endanger the security and stability of southern Lebanon and its people and endanger the national interest'. The past weeks saw several confrontations between residents of southern Lebanon and members of Unifil. They are typically defused by the Lebanese army and rarely escalate. Last year's ceasefire agreement states that only Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers may be posted in the country's south, which is traditionally a stronghold of Hezbollah. Israel was supposed to fully withdraw its troops from Lebanon according to the deal, but instead continues to bomb southern Lebanon daily and occupy five points of Lebanese territory. Israeli media reported at the weekend that Israel and the US had agreed to end its mandate, which is renewed annually by the UN Security Council. Officials in Washington and Lebanon told The National that the reports were incorrect. Mr Salam said Lebanon was keen to renew Unifil's mandate in order to ensure 'that security and stability are maintained on the southern border'. Unifil peacekeepers were posted in 1978 after Israel invaded southern Lebanon, and the force is tasked with monitoring breaches from both sides of the border. Its area of operations extends from the Blue Line – the UN-delineated border between Lebanon and Israel – to the Litani River, about 30km from the border.
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
UN Peacekeepers Say 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 repeated targeting of their troops "unacceptable". The UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), deployed since 1978 to separate Lebanon and Israel, sits on a five-member committee to supervise the ceasefire between Israel and the 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, AFP reported. The situation was defused 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. UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti told AFP a Finnish soldier was slapped during the confrontation. A witness, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, said an altercation ensued between locals and the Lebanese army, who were searching for the man who slapped the peacekeeper. One man opposing the army was injured and hospitalized, the witness said. In a statement, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he "strongly condemns the repeated attacks" on UNIFIL forces and called for the attackers to be stopped and held accountable. There have been several confrontations between people in south Lebanon, where Hezbollah holds sway, and UN peacekeepers in recent weeks. Confrontations are typically defused by the Lebanese army and rarely escalate. In December 2022, an Irish peacekeeper was killed in a shooting at a UN armoured 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 have fully withdrawn its troops from Lebanon according to the deal, but has remained in five positions it deems strategic and has repeatedly bombed the country.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
UN peacekeepers say troops attacked by individuals in south Lebanon
BEIRUT: United Nations peacekeepers said rock-throwing individuals confronted them during a patrol on Tuesday in south Lebanon, calling repeated targeting of their troops 'unacceptable.' The UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), deployed since 1978 to separate Lebanon and Israel, sits on a five-member committee to supervise the ceasefire between Israel and the 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 defused 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. UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti told AFP a Finnish soldier was slapped during the confrontation. A witness, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, said an altercation ensued between locals and the Lebanese army, who were searching for the man who slapped the peacekeeper. One man opposing the army was injured and hospitalized, the witness said. In a statement, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he 'strongly condemns the repeated attacks' on UNIFIL forces and called for the attackers to be stopped and held accountable. There have been several confrontations between people in south Lebanon, where Hezbollah holds sway, and UN peacekeepers in recent weeks. Confrontations are typically defused 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 have fully withdrawn its troops from Lebanon according to the deal, but has remained in five positions it deems strategic and has repeatedly bombed the country.
Al Arabiya
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
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.
