UNIFIL Says Israeli Tank Fire Near Peacekeepers in Lebanon Breached Resolution 1701

Overview

• UNIFIL reported that heavy machine-gun rounds from a Merkava tank landed about five meters from its foot patrol near El Hamames inside Lebanese territory.
• Israel’s military said forces fired warning shots at two suspects who were later identified as UN peacekeepers, citing misidentification in poor weather and denying deliberate targeting.
• UNIFIL called the episode a grave violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which permits only the Lebanese Army and UN peacekeepers to operate in southern Lebanon.
• Lebanese authorities criticized repeated Israeli violations of sovereignty, as reporting noted Israel maintains five positions in southern Lebanon and conducts strikes it says target Hezbollah.
• In a separate West Bank operation near Nablus, Israeli forces said they neutralized a man who threw an explosive, while Palestinian officials identified the deceased as 19-year-old Hasan Ahmed Jamil Musa.