Another peacekeeper from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was injured in southern Lebanon on Friday evening, as confirmed by UNIFIL in a statement released on Saturday. The incident occurred at the UNIFIL headquarters in the city of Naqoura, where the peacekeeper was hit by gunfire due to ongoing military activity in the vicinity.
UNIFIL reported that the injured peacekeeper underwent surgery at the Naqoura hospital to remove the bullet and is currently in stable condition. The origin of the gunfire is yet to be determined. This marks the fifth member of the UN force to be injured in southern Lebanon within a span of just two days.
Earlier, two peacekeepers were injured when an Israeli Merkava tank fired towards the UNIFIL observation tower in Naqoura, causing it to collapse. Subsequently, two more peacekeepers were hurt following two explosions near the observation tower.
Additionally, UNIFIL disclosed that its building in a UN position in Ramyah, Lebanon, suffered significant damage due to explosions resulting from nearby shelling on Friday.
Several countries, whose citizens are part of the peacekeeping force, have expressed condemnation over the incidents. Italy and France have summoned their Israeli ambassadors, while Lt. Gen. Sean Clancy of Ireland's armed forces suggested that the gunfire targeting the UNIFIL position on Friday appeared to be deliberate. Sri Lanka and Indonesia, whose nationals were among the injured, also denounced the events.
