UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeper stationed in southern Lebanon, has called on Beirut authorities to investigate an attack that injured one of its peacekeepers. “A patrol was attacked by a group of young men in Taybeh,” near the Israeli border, the UN mission reported, stressing that “a peacekeeper was injured and a vehicle was damaged.”
“We call on the Lebanese authorities to conduct a full and rapid investigation and bring all perpetrators to justice,” the statement said, recalling that such “attacks… are not only condemnable, but also violations of the Resolution 1701 and the Lebanese government represent “law”. Freedom of movement “is crucial as we work to restore security and stability along the Blue Line,” added the mission, which was established in 1978 to facilitate the withdrawal of Israeli forces after the invasion of Lebanon in retaliation for a Palestinian attack, and after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbolah to monitor the ceasefire between the two sides. After the massive Hamas attack in Israel on October 7th Tensions have also increased on the border between Israel and Lebanon, with Hezbollah repeatedly attacking the troops of the Jewish state and rockets being fired across the border, to which Israel responds with bomb attacks.