The Israeli forces dropped four bombs near the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) when it was trying to open a road to a site near the Blue Line, according to UNIFIL.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed that Israeli drones dropped four hand grenades near peacekeeping forces on Tuesday morning.

UNIFIL described the Israeli attack in a Wednesday statement as one of the most dangerous attacks on its personnel since the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah in November last year.

Tuesday Attack

In detail, UNIFIL explained in its statement that “Israeli military drones dropped four grenades near peacekeepers while they were working to remove obstacles blocking access to a UN site near the Blue Line” on Tuesday morning.

It added that one grenade fell 20 meters away, and three others about 100 meters from UN personnel and vehicles, while the drones were seen returning south of the Blue Line.

UNIFIL clarified that “the Israeli army had been previously informed about UNIFIL’s work to remove obstacles in the area southeast of the town of Marwahin.”

UNIFIL emphasized that “any actions that endanger UN peacekeepers and their property, or interfere with their assigned tasks, are unacceptable and represent a serious violation of Resolution 1701 and international law,” holding the Israeli army responsible for ensuring the safety and security of peacekeepers performing their duties assigned by the Security Council.

Previous Attacks

During the war between Israel and Hezbollah last October, UNIFIL forces were repeatedly fired upon, and two Israeli tanks stormed the gates of one of its bases, injuring several personnel.

On October 10, UNIFIL stated that its headquarters and sites along the Blue Line in the south were fired upon by the Israeli army, noting that two of its personnel were injured by Israeli artillery fire.

On October 16, an Israeli Merkava tank fired on a watchtower at a UNIFIL position near the town of Kfar Kila in southern Lebanon.

On November 22, the Italian government announced that four Italian soldiers were slightly injured after two rockets exploded at a UNIFIL base in southern Lebanon, condemning the incident as “unacceptable.”

In May, UNIFIL announced that direct fire from the Israeli army hit the vicinity of one of its peacekeeping sites in southern Lebanon.

Attack After Extension

The attack comes days after the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon for the last time until the end of 2026.

This occurred during a Security Council session last Thursday, based on demands from the United States and Israel, resulting in the passing of a resolution ending UNIFIL’s mission by the end of 2026, after nearly 50 years of operation in southern Lebanon.

The resolution adopted unanimously by the Council stipulates “extending UNIFIL’s mandate for the last time (…) until December 31, 2026, and beginning a coordinated and safe drawdown and withdrawal from that date within one year.”

Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, welcomed the resolution, accusing UNIFIL of failing to prevent Hezbollah from “controlling the area.”

UNIFIL has been present in Lebanon since 1978, comprising about 10,000 troops deployed in the south to separate Israel and Lebanon after several conflicts. UN Security Council Resolution 1701 of 2006 prohibits all parties from crossing the “Blue Line,” the UN-designated border separating Lebanon from Israel and the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.