According to a note to correspondents According to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, the incident occurred during a patrol of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was inspecting a roadblock in the village of Bastarra, southern Lebanon.
THE Blue lineestablished by the United Nations, extends approximately 120 kilometers along Lebanon’s southern border and serves as a “withdrawal line” to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
In a separate incident on the same day, another UNIFIL patrol reported machine gun fire coming from south of the Blue Line, in the immediate vicinity of its position, near the village of Kfar Shouba.
“UNIFIL had informed the Israel Defense Forces in advance of activities in these areas, in accordance with the usual practice of patrolling sensitive areas near the Blue Line,” Mr. Dujarric said.
He noted that in recent days, incidents restricting UNIFIL’s movements by local individuals have also taken place in the Mission’s area of operations.
“Any act that could endanger the safety and security of United Nations peacekeepers is completely unacceptable,” Mr. Dujarric said.
“We reiterate our call to all actors to cease activities that endanger the well-being of peacekeepers and that interfere with their mandated activities in support of the implementation of the Security Council resolution 1701“, he added.
The UN spokesperson further reminded the parties of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
