A United Nations peacekeeper has died after mortar shells struck one of the agency's positions in southeastern Lebanon, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported on Thursday.
The incident occurred late on Wednesday near Marjayoun, where a UNFIL position came under fire. The wounded peacekeeper was evacuated to Beirut but later died of his injuries. Two other peacekeepers were also injured and are receiving treatment at a UNIFIL base.
“Soon after the incident that happened late last night, the critically injured peacekeeper was flown to a hospital in Beirut, where he succumbed to his wounds,” UNFIL said in a statement.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the peacekeeper who lost his life in the service of peace. Our thoughts also go out to the full and speedy recovery of the injured peacekeepers.”
The UN agency has since launched an investigation into the circumstances of the strike, while no group has so far claimed responsibility.
“Deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701, and may amount to war crimes,’ the group said.
While UNFIL did not disclose the nationality of the deceased peacekeeper, additional reports indicate he was of Serbian descent, with several governments extending condolences to Belgrade.
“I express my deepest condolences to the UNIFIL contingent and to the government of Belgrade for the killing of a Serbian soldier that took place last night in Lebanon following an attack on a contingent base. My closeness also to the two injured Blue Helmets from Spain and El Salvador,” said Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani.
“All our support to our military personnel deployed on the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon, following last night's attack, and all our encouragement and solidarity to the Serbian contingent,” Spain’s Defence Ministry added.
The development comes almost two months after another UNFIL peacekeeper was killed and three others injured after their patrol came under fire while carrying out explosive ordnance clearance operations in the country's southern region.
It similarly follows renewed efforts by Israel and Lebanon on Wednesday to reinforce a fragile ceasefire agreement and establish “pilot” security zones in southern Lebanon aimed at reducing cross-border hostilities.
Despite an earlier truce announced in April, both sides have continued to exchange fire. Under the US-mediated deal, Hezbollah is expected to withdraw from designated security areas south of the Litani River, with the Lebanese army taking responsibility for control of the zones.
However, the details of how the arrangement would be implemented remain unclear, and both parties have conditioned the truce on the full cessation of Hezbollah fire and the removal of its fighters from the south.
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