The command of the international forces operating in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced that a site belonging to it near Kafr Shuba on the Blue Line in the eastern sector of southern Lebanon was subjected to light weapons fire today, with no casualties among the peacekeepers.
UNIFIL said in a statement that all peacekeepers stationed at the site quickly took cover following the first round of gunfire, noting that most of the bullets hit the outer wall of the site, while others hit UN-owned residential units and vehicles within the base, resulting in damage to several of its buildings.
It stressed that the continued firing towards a UN site with clear markings is unacceptable, warning that such attacks put the lives of peacekeepers at great risk, and opened an investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident.
UNIFIL reiterated the reminder to all parties of their obligations under international law to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times, affirming that any attack on peacekeepers constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and may amount to a war crime.
