UN force says HQ struck as Hezbollah claims attacks on Israeli troops in Naqoura
Key Takeaways
- UNIFIL says its Naqoura headquarters was struck by a projectile.
- Projectile likely launched by a non-state actor.
- Hezbollah claimed attacks on Israeli forces in Naqoura.
UNIFIL HQ hit; Hezbollah claims
UNIFIL announced that its Naqoura headquarters was hit by a projectile, probably launched by a non-state actor, after Hezbollah declared it had targeted Israeli forces in Naqoura.
“UN force says HQ struck as Hezbollah claims attacks on Israeli troops in Naqoura The U”
Just before noon today, a projectile hit a building inside our headquarters, UNIFIL said.
Peacekeepers with expertise in explosive ordinance disposal are working to deal with it, and UNIFIL believes it was fired by a non-state actor.
Since Saturday, the coastal town in Lebanon's far south on the border with Israel has been one of the flashpoints between Hezbollah and the Israeli army.
Two attacks reported in Naqoura
Hezbollah claimed at least two attacks on Monday against Israeli forces in Naqoura.
The first attack occurred at 11:00 am and targeted a gathering of Israeli enemy soldiers in the vicinity of the Naqoura municipality building, and the second at 1:00 pm targeted a similar gathering near the Naqoura school.
On Saturday, Hezbollah said its fighters had targeted Israeli soldiers along the border, including in Naqoura.
UNIFIL appeals for de-escalation
UNIFIL said it had observed over the past 48 hours intense gunfire and explosions in and around Naqoura, close to its headquarters.
“UN force says HQ struck as Hezbollah claims attacks on Israeli troops in Naqoura The U”
Bullets, fragments, and shrapnel have hit buildings and open areas inside UNIFIL's headquarters, putting peacekeepers at risk.
The force reminded all actors of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers.
It also said there is no military solution to this conflict and urged the actors to put down their weapons and commit to working toward a long-term solution before more people get hurt.
The report notes that after a November 2024 ceasefire to end a previous war with Hezbollah, Israel kept forces in five positions near Naqoura, including the village of Labbouneh, three kilometers away.
On Saturday, Hezbollah said its fighters had targeted Israeli soldiers along the border, including in Naqoura.
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