Five UN peacekeepers were injured during an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon. The UN mission said the five peacekeepers were injured in an Israeli strike near a military checkpoint in Sidon, southern Lebanon, on Thursday.
According to a mission statement, the casualties happened when a UNIFIL convoy transporting recently arrived peacekeepers to south Lebanon passed through Sidon when a drone strike struck nearby, according to Anadolu Agency. Three Lebanese soldiers were also injured during the raid.
“We remind all actors of their obligation to avoid actions putting peacekeepers or civilians in danger.
“Differences should be resolved at the negotiating table, not through violence,” it added.
UNIFIL operates between the Litani River in southern Lebanon and the Blue Line, which acts as Israel’s border, as part of its UN stability Council Resolution 1701 mandate to ensure regional stability.
Israel has been conducting a large air campaign in Lebanon since late September against what it alleges are Hezbollah targets, escalating a year-long cross-border conflict that began with the recent Gaza war.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed over 3,000 people and injured over 13,500, according to Lebanese health authorities.
On October 1, Israel started a ground assault into southern Lebanon.