BEIRUT: Three peacekeepers on patrol were injured when an explosion occurred near their clearly marked UN vehicle in the village of Yarine in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said on Sunday.
According to UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) spokesperson Andrea Tenenti, the peacekeepers were on patrol when the blast occurred near their clearly marked UN vehicle in the village of Yarine, situated close to the southern city of Tyre.
The explosion caused “light injuries” to the three peacekeepers, who have since returned safely to their base. “All peacekeepers in the patrol returned safely to their base,” the spokesperson said. UNIFIL has not provided further specifics about the nature of the explosion or the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a statement, Tenenti emphasized the mission’s ongoing investigation into the event and reiterated the UN’s strong reminder to all parties involved to avoid causing harm to peacekeepers and civilians. “We are looking into the incident. We are strongly reminding all parties and actors of their responsibility to avoid harm to peacekeepers and civilians,” Tenenti said.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the region, marked by an increase in cross-border attacks between Israel and Hezbollah. The situation has been further strained by the recent escalation following the assassination of Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr in an Israeli airstrike on July 30 in Beirut.
The escalation comes against the backdrop of a deadly Israeli onslaught on Gaza, which has killed nearly 40,100 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since last October.
