Israeli Tank Fires at UN Peacekeepers’ Watchtower in Southern Lebanon

Unifil: Israeli forces targeted a UN peacekeepers' watchtower near Kafer Kela, causing damage and destroying cameras. According to Emirates News Agency, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) tank fired at a UN peacekeeping watchtower early Wednesday morning. The attack, which took place near the southern Lebanese town of Kafer Kela, resulted in the destruction of two surveillance cameras and significant damage to the structure of the tower. "Yet again we see direct and apparently deliberate fire on a UNIFIL position," UNIFIL stated. The mission emphasized the critical need for all actors, including the IDF, to respect the inviolability of UN premises and ensure the safety and security of UN personnel. Additionally, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, highlighted further hostilities in the region, including an attack on Nabatieh's municipal building. She cited these incidents as part of a broader pattern of targeting ci vilians and infrastructure across Lebanon. "This attack follows other incidents in which civilians and civilian infrastructure have been targeted across Lebanon. Today's reported killing of a humanitarian first responder is, tragically, part of this pattern," she noted. Hennis-Plasschaert condemned the violations of international humanitarian law and reiterated the need to protect civilians at all times. She also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the pursuit of diplomatic solutions to meet the needs of the population and promote regional stability. Meanwhile, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported intense exchanges of fire along the "Blue Line," the demarcation between Israel and Lebanon, with UNIFIL recording 58 air violations and 1,279 projectiles in the last 24 hours. He also noted that indirect fire near UN positions in Dayr Amis and Shab'a caused material damage but fortunately did not result in any injuries to peacekeepers.