Sarda: UNIFIL reported that its peacekeepers witnessed two Merkava tanks from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) moving from an Israeli position into Lebanese territory near Sarda. The peacekeepers promptly requested, through established liaison channels, that the tanks stop their movement.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, one of the tanks later discharged three shells from its main gun, with two shells landing around 150 meters from the peacekeepers' location. As the peacekeepers retreated to ensure their safety, they were continuously tracked by a laser from the tanks.
The tanks withdrew from the area about thirty minutes later, and no injuries were reported. UNIFIL noted that it had previously informed the IDF of its activities in the area, adhering to established procedures for patrols in sensitive zones near the Blue Line.
The mission emphasized that incidents involving clearly identifiable peacekeepers under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 are becoming frequent and constitute a violation of the resolution. UNIFIL reiterated its call for the IDF to fully respect its obligation to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers. It urged the IDF to cease actions targeting them, warning that such aggression undermines Resolution 1701 and the stability that peacekeepers and all parties strive to maintain.