"Earlier today, UNIFIL peacekeepers observed two Merkava tanks move from an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) position inside Lebanese territory near Sarda further into Lebanon. The peacekeepers requested through liaison channels that the tanks stop their activity. Some time later, one of the tanks fired three shells from its main gun, with two impacts approximately 150 meters away from the peacekeepers … Fortunately, no one was hurt," the mission said in a statement on Monday.
The peacekeeping contingent previously notified the Israel Defense Forces of its activities in the Sarda area in accordance with established practice of conducting patrols in "sensitive areas" located near the Blue Line, the statement noted.
"Attacks like these on identifiable peacekeepers performing tasks under Security Council resolution 1701 are becoming disturbingly common. Such attacks are a serious violation of resolution 1701," the statement read.
Lebanon has repeatedly accused Israel of systematically violating its sovereignty, despite the November 2024 ceasefire deal. The Israeli military maintains a presence at five strategic points in southern Lebanon, including the northern part of the village of Ghajar, which the Lebanese authorities consider to be a continuing occupation and a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
The Israeli army claims that the strikes are targeting the military infrastructure of Hezbollah. Israel has repeatedly emphasized that it will continue to strike Lebanon in order to eliminate the leaders of Hezbollah's military wing and the threat posed by the Shiite movement.