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The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Israeli drones dropped four hand grenades near peacekeepers clearing roadblocks in southern Lebanon, calling it one of the most serious attacks on its personnel and property since the Nov. 27, 2024, ceasefire.
UNIFIL said in a statement on Telegram that the incident occurred near the Blue Line. One grenade landed about 20 meters from the U.N. staff, while three others fell roughly 100 meters away, before the drones returned south of the line.
The peacekeepers had been working near the village of Marwahin, and UNIFIL noted that Israel had been informed of the road-clearing operation in advance
The peacekeeping mission suspended work on Wednesday for security reasons following the attack.
UNIFIL stressed that any action endangering UN personnel or interfering with their mandated tasks is “unacceptable” and constitutes a serious violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and international law.
The statement added that ensuring the safety of peacekeepers carrying out Security Council mandates is the responsibility of the Israeli army.
UNIFIL was established by the U.N. Security Council on March 19, 1978, after Israel invaded southern Lebanon during the country’s civil war. Resolution 1701, unanimously adopted on Aug. 11, 2006, called for an end to hostilities following the Israel–Hezbollah war.
It requires Israel to withdraw behind the Blue Line and stipulates that the area between the line and Lebanon’s Litani River remain free of unauthorized weapons, with only the Lebanese army and UNIFIL allowed to operate there.
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