Israeli troops fire at UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, says UNIFIL
UNIFIL reported on 16 November 2025 that Israeli forces fired on its peacekeepers from a Merkava tank, with heavy rounds landing metres away. No UN personnel were hurt, but the mission called the incident a serious violation of international obligations.
- UNIFIL peacekeepers in southern Lebanon were fired upon by an Israeli tank on 16 November 2025.
- Heavy machine-gun rounds landed just five metres from the peacekeepers, who took cover but were not injured.
- UNIFIL described the attack as a “serious violation” of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and has called on the IDF to cease such behaviour.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has accused Israeli soldiers of firing on its peacekeepers from a Merkava tank, in a serious escalation of tensions along the Blue Line.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), UNIFIL stated, “This morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired on UNIFIL peacekeepers from a Merkava tank from near a position.”
According to its formal statement, heavy machine gun rounds struck approximately five metres from peacekeepers who were on foot and forced them to take shelter in surrounding terrain.
UNIFIL reported that its personnel reached out to the IDF via established liaison channels. About 30 minutes later, the tank withdrew inside the Israeli position, and the UN troops left the area safely.
No injuries were reported in the incident, but UNIFIL described the attack as a “serious violation” of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which underpins its mission in Lebanon.
UNIFIL’s public demand was clear: it called on the IDF to stop any “aggressive behaviour and attacks on or near peacekeepers, who are working to support the return to the stability that both Israel and Lebanon say they seek.”
Israeli response and Lebanese reaction
According to Al Jazeera, the Israeli military said its soldiers misidentified the UN patrol, blaming “poor weather conditions” for the firing.
In a military statement, Israel claimed the shots were warning fire, not a deliberate attack.
The Lebanese Armed Forces condemned the incident, saying it violated their sovereignty and made full deployment in the south more difficult.
Context and broader concerns
UNIFIL’s statement and tweet reflect growing concern over the safety of peacekeepers operating near volatile zones along the Blue Line.
This is not the first time such incidents have occurred: earlier reports noted Israeli airstrikes, drone fire, and other confrontations involving UN personnel.
UNIFIL has repeatedly warned that violations of Resolution 1701 threaten both the safety of its troops and the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
International reaction
The incident has drawn international attention. France, for example, condemned repeated targeting of UNIFIL patrols and reiterated calls for Israel to respect peacekeeper safety and UN resolutions.
UNIFIL itself, through its social media and official channels, continues to press for accountability. The force emphasises that it remains committed to its mission: supporting Lebanese stability, monitoring violations, and preventing escalation.
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