Rmeish, Lebanon – Three United Nations observers and a translator were injured in Rmeish, southern Lebanon, after being caught in shelling, according to the UN peacekeeping mission. Reports from Lebanon’s state news agency suggested that an Israeli drone strike may have caused the explosion, although the Israeli military denied any involvement. The UN mission, Unifil, confirmed that those injured were receiving medical treatment and that an investigation was underway to determine the source of the blast.
The incident occurred amidst escalating tensions along the unofficial Israel-Lebanon border, with Unifil stating that a shell had detonated near the group during a foot patrol along the UN-demarcated Blue Line that separates southern Lebanon from Israel. The deliberate targeting of peacekeepers was condemned as “unacceptable” by the mission.
Details regarding the nationality and conditions of the injured observers were not immediately disclosed. However, the Lebanese translator was reported to be in stable condition. Lebanon’s National News Agency claimed that Israeli drones carried out the attack in southern Lebanon where the observers were wounded, an allegation refuted by the Israeli military.
Recent days have seen a resurgence of hostilities along the unofficial border between Israel and Lebanon, resulting in casualties on both sides. Israel and the militant group Hezbollah have engaged in frequent cross-border exchanges, which intensified following the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza conflict after a Hamas attack on Israel in early October.
Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia Muslim militia with strong ties to Iran and a Hamas ally, has been the focus of increased Israeli military action in Lebanon. Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared a shift in strategy, vowing to actively pursue Hezbollah, stating, “Wherever they are hiding, we will reach them.” The situation remains tense, with the risk of further clashes between the two sides ongoing.