Three UN navy observers, a Lebanese interpreter wounded in blast whereas patrolling southern border

Three United Nations navy observers and a Lebanese interpreter have been wounded Saturday whereas patrolling the southern Lebanese border after a shell exploded close to them, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon mentioned.

The navy observers are a part of the United Nations Truce Supervision Group, which helps the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti instructed The Related Press that the 4 wounded have been in steady situation.

Tenenti mentioned UNIFIL had knowledgeable all fighters of their patrols as common and the observers’ car was carrying clear UN markings. The three navy observers, from Chile, Australia, and Norway, have been unarmed, he mentioned.

The blast got here as clashes between the Israeli navy and Hezbollah militants escalated in latest weeks. Either side have been exchanging fireplace for the reason that Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza broke out, propelling issues that the near-daily clashes alongside the border may escalate right into a full-scale conflict.

Native Lebanese media, citing safety officers, mentioned an Israeli drone strike focused the observers within the southern village of Wadi Katmoun close to the border city of Rmeich.

The Israeli navy on social media platform X, previously Twitter, mentioned: “Contrary to the reports, the IDF did not strike a @UNIFIL —vehicle in the area of Rmeish this morning.”

Tenenti mentioned UNIFIL was “investigating the origin of the explosion,” nevertheless it was tough to place investigators on the bottom instantly due to the continued alternate of fireside.

“The targeting of peacekeepers is unacceptable,” Tenenti instructed The Related Press. “We repeat our call for all actors to cease the current heavy exchanges of fire before more people are unnecessarily hurt.”

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikat condemned the incident in a press release.

UNIFIL was created to supervise the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after Israel’s 1978 invasion. The U.N. expanded its mission following the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, permitting peacekeepers to deploy alongside the Israeli border to assist the Lebanese navy lengthen its authority into the nation’s south for the primary time in a long time.