Israeli Forces Allegedly Fired Explosives Near UNIFIL Troops in Lebanon

UN peacekeepers in Lebanon say Israeli forces dropped bombs near their positions Thursday while they were helping clear war debris. The incident happened in Maroun al-Ras, a border town where peacekeepers were working with Lebanese soldiers to protect civilian workers removing rubble from destroyed homes.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) called for Israel to immediately stop any attacks against peacekeepers, civilians, or Lebanese military personnel. The statement marks another escalation in tensions between Israeli forces and international peacekeepers operating in southern Lebanon.

Here's what happened: Peacekeepers at two different locations heard explosions near an excavator about 500 meters away. Minutes later, the first group spotted a drone flying overhead, followed by an explosion just 30-40 meters from their position. The second group then saw another drone drop a bomb that exploded 20 meters above them.

UNIFIL considers these actions a serious violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. That resolution established the peacekeeping mission and created a buffer zone in southern Lebanon.

The incident highlights ongoing risks for international peacekeepers caught between Israeli military operations and the complex security situation in southern Lebanon. UNIFIL has roughly 10,000 troops from dozens of countries monitoring the Israel-Lebanon border.

Israeli forces have previously clashed with or targeted UN positions during military operations, creating diplomatic tensions with contributing nations. These incidents typically strain relationships between Israel and the international community, particularly European countries that provide peacekeeping troops.

For the civilian workers trying to rebuild their communities, the bombing near the debris-clearing operation shows how dangerous basic reconstruction efforts have become in the border region.