UN Interim Force says gunfire hit its position in southern Lebanon

• UNIFIL statement did not identify who fired shots

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Wednesday that several rounds of small arms fire struck its position near Kfar Shouba in southern Lebanon, hitting accommodation units and UN vehicles.

It occurred in the morning along the Blue Line in Sector East, the mission said in a statement on Telegram. The Blue Line is a temporary boundary that was established by the UN in 2000 to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon after a two-decade occupation.

All peacekeepers stationed at the position took shelter shortly after the first round of firing, and no one was injured.

Most rounds struck the perimeter wall, while some hit accommodation units and UN vehicles inside the base. Several were recorded at the post, said UNIFIL.

“It is unacceptable that firings continued towards a clearly marked UNIFIL position. Such deliberate attacks put the lives of peacekeepers at serious risk,” it said.

UNIFIL said it launched an investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident. The statement did not identify who fired the shots.

“We strongly remind all actors of their obligations under international law to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and properties at all times,” it said. “Any attack on UNIFIL peacekeepers constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of the Security Council Resolution 1701 and may amount to a war crime.”

The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1701 in August 2006 following a 33-day war between Israel and Hezbollah.

The resolution calls for a complete cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel and for an area between the Blue Line and the Litani River in southern Lebanon to be free of weapons and armed personnel, except those of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL.

The Israeli attacks have killed at least 4,386 people and wounded 12,407 others since March 2, according to Lebanese official figures.

On June 26, Lebanon and Israel signed a US-sponsored Framework Agreement in Washington providing for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the deployment of the Lebanese army to areas vacated by Israeli forces.

Despite the agreement, Israel has continued to carry out attacks in southern Lebanon and maintains a military presence in parts of the south, including territory it has occupied for decades and other areas seized during more recent wars and military operations.