Beirut: UNIFIL issued a statement on Friday highlighting incidents of gunfire close to its peacekeeping forces near Kafer Shouba. The statement detailed that peacekeepers on patrol reported fifteen rounds of small arms fire landing within fifty meters of their position.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, a second patrol in the same area experienced approximately 100 rounds of machine-gun fire striking a similar distance from their location less than twenty minutes after the first incident. Fortunately, neither incident resulted in any damage or injury.
Peacekeepers believe the gunfire originated from an Israel Defense Forces position south of the Blue Line. In response, UNIFIL promptly sent a "stop fire" request through established liaison channels. The agency noted that they had informed the IDF about the patrol activities in advance, following standard procedures for operations in sensitive regions near the Blue Line.
The statement from UNIFIL emphasized that such incidents are occurring with concerning frequency and represent serious violations of Security Council resolution 1701. UNIFIL urged the IDF to discontinue aggressive actions and attacks near peacekeeping personnel, who are engaged in efforts to maintain peace and stability along the Blue Line.