Israeli strike wounds UNIFIL peacekeepers in southern Lebanon

BEIRUT

Several members of the Ghanaian contingent serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were injured Friday after an Israeli strike targeted their position in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese media.

The National News Agency (NNA) reported that a UNIFIL site in the town of Qouzah in the Bint Jbeil district was struck, resulting in several injuries for Ghanaian peacekeepers, though the exact number was not immediately specified.

There was no comment from UNIFIL on the incident.

UNIFIL was established in 1978 following Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon. Its mandate was significantly expanded after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, with more than 10,000 peacekeepers deployed to monitor the cessation of hostilities and assist the Lebanese army in extending its authority south of the Litani River.

The reported strike comes amid Israel’s expanding military campaign in Lebanon since Monday, following limited rocket fire by Hezbollah amid broader regional tensions linked to the war waged by Israel and the US against Iran.

Israel had killed more than 4,000 people and wounded around 17,000 during an offensive in Lebanon that began in October 2023 and escalated into a full-scale war in September 2024.

Despite a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah since November 2024, Israel has continued near-daily violations that have left hundreds dead and wounded.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul