BEIRUT/ISTANBUL 

The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Thursday that its forces came under attack with stones during a planned patrol in southern Lebanon.

UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said that several individuals in civilian clothes blocked UN peacekeepers near the town of Wadi Jilu while they were conducting a routine patrol.

“While the situation was initially calm, the individuals soon began throwing stones at the peacekeepers, forcing them to disperse the crowd with smoke to protect themselves from harm.”

The UN mission said the situation was brought under control after the arrival of Lebanese army forces.

UNIFIL stressed that its peacekeepers “can move independently in south Lebanon in performance of their duties to restore security and stability under resolution 1701. They do not need to be accompanied by Lebanese soldiers.”

The spokesperson warned that any attack on peacekeepers constitutes a serious breach of international law and resolution 1701.

“We have requested that the Lebanese authorities bring the perpetrators to justice,” Tenenti said. “We will continue impartially monitoring and reporting on violations of 1701, as mandated by the Security Council and requested by the Lebanese government.”

There was no immediate comment from the Lebanese army regarding the incident.

UNIFIL was established by the UN Security Council in March 1978 following Israel’s invasion of Lebanon.

The mission currently comprises about 11,000 personnel, including 10,500 troops on the ground. It helps prevent escalation through liaison and coordination, conducts patrols in southern Lebanon to monitor developments on the ground, and reports any military violations while supporting the Lebanese army, according to its website.

UNIFIL facilities and personnel, however, came under repeated Israeli attacks during Tel Aviv’s recent military campaign in Lebanon.

Cross-border warfare between Israel and the Hezbollah group in Lebanon escalated into a full-scale war last September. Despite a November ceasefire, Israeli forces have carried out near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah activities.

Since then, Lebanese authorities have reported nearly 3,000 Israeli violations of the truce, including the deaths of at least 236 people and injuries to more than 540.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Tel Aviv refused to comply.

Until now, Israel still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.