The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon announced in a statement on Thursday that one of its Irish soldier was killed in Lebanon after a convoy of two armored utility vehicles carrying eight personnel traveling to Beirut came under small arms fire.
The UNIFIL said it was coordinating with the Lebanese armed forces and have launched an investigation into the killing of the soldier on Wednesday.
A soldier was killed and another was seriously injured and underwent surgery, while two other soldiers were treated for mild injuries.
Media reports said that residents of the southern town of al-Aqbiyah, just outside UNIFIL’s area of operations in south Lebanon, have confronted the UNIFIL convoy for taking a different route than the agreed and usual one they usually do.
Youths of the area have reportedly followed the convoy which took the seaside road instead of taking the highway, which drew their suspicions. They reportedly blocked the convoy’s way. Gunfire shots were heard.
"At the moment, details are sparse and conflicting," the UNIFIL said in a statement.
