Overview
- UNIFIL reported that an Israeli Merkava tank fired near a UN foot patrol inside Lebanese territory by the Blue Line at about 6 a.m. Sunday.
- Rounds struck roughly five meters from the peacekeepers, who took cover and withdrew about 30 minutes later after UN liaison channels halted the fire, with no injuries reported.
- Spain’s defense minister confirmed Spanish soldiers were in the patrol and said Madrid lodged a complaint.
- Israel said the patrol was misidentified due to poor weather, described the shooting as unintentional, and stated the incident is under investigation.
- UNIFIL condemned a serious breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and the episode marks the third close call for UN forces in three months, with Spain contributing more than 650 personnel.