Beirut
Two United Nations peacekeepers were killed and two others injured after an explosion struck their vehicle near Bani Hayyan in southern Lebanon, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed. This comes just a day after another UNIFIL personnel death in the region.
UNIFIL described the incident as tragic and called for the protection of all peacekeepers, stating, “No one should ever have to die serving the cause of peace.” A third peacekeeper was severely injured, while a fourth sustained injuries. Investigations have been launched to determine the cause of the explosion.
The mission also urged all parties to respect international law and ensure the safety of UN personnel. Deliberate attacks on peacekeepers, it warned, could constitute serious violations and even war crimes under UN Security Council rules.
Moments before this, another UNIFIL peacekeeper was killed and a colleague critically injured after a projectile hit a UN position near Adchit Al Qusayr. The source of the attack remains unknown, and authorities are investigating both incidents.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it is reviewing reports of the two separate events to determine whether they were caused by Hezbollah activity or military operations in the area. The IDF emphasized that its operations target Hezbollah, not UN peacekeepers, the Lebanese army, or civilians, and cautioned against drawing immediate conclusions.
UNIFIL extended condolences to the families and colleagues of the fallen peacekeepers while expressing hope for the swift recovery of those injured. The incidents highlight the dangers faced by personnel in Lebanon’s volatile south, underscoring the high human cost of ongoing regional tensions.
