BEIRUT, Sept. 4 — Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday urged urgent international action after Israeli drones targeted areas near United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, calling it the “most serious violation” of the ceasefire in place since November.
In a phone call with UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) commander Diodato Abagnara, Aoun expressed solidarity with peacekeepers who came under fire near the border town of Marwahin.
On Wednesday, UNIFIL said Israeli drones dropped four grenades on Tuesday as its personnel cleared roadblocks blocking access to a UN post.
One grenade landed within 20 meters of peacekeepers, and three others within 100 meters of staff and vehicles. The mission called it “one of the most serious attacks” on its personnel since last November’s ceasefire.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern, stressing that endangering peacekeepers was “unacceptable” and urging all sides to guarantee their safety.
Lebanon’s presidency said Aoun condemned the strike and demanded swift international measures to hold Israel accountable.
He accused Israel of defying UN Security Council resolutions, undermining the immunity of UN personnel, and continuing attacks that kill civilians and damage infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
The incident marked the first direct targeting of UN peacekeepers since the November truce, brokered by the United States and France to stop cross-border clashes linked to the Gaza war.
Israel has continued periodic strikes in Lebanon, citing Hezbollah threats, and has maintained positions at several border sites after missing a Feb. 18 withdrawal deadline.
Also on Thursday, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Israeli airstrikes a day earlier killed four people and wounded 17 in the south.
A Lebanese Army intelligence source reported that Israeli aircraft carried out 18 strikes across the region from Wednesday into early Thursday. (Xinhua)
