Israeli Strike Near UNIFIL Forces Draws International Condemnation
On the morning of September 2, along the Israel–Lebanon border in southern Lebanon, Israeli military drones dropped four grenades near UNIFIL peacekeeping operations. While no casualties were reported, the attack has raised concerns about legality and regional stability.
United Nations
Sphinx News: Ahmed Ali
Tensions in southern Lebanon have surged once again, as Israeli military strikes near UNIFIL operations were described by the peacekeeping force as “the most serious attacks on its personnel and assets since the cessation of hostilities agreement last November.”
On September 2, Israeli drones reportedly dropped four grenades along the southern Lebanese border. UNIFIL reported that “one grenade impacted within 20 meters, and three within approximately 100 meters of UN personnel and vehicles,” warning that such attacks “endanger UN peacekeepers and assets and are unacceptable, constituting a serious violation of Resolution 1701 and international law.” The force added that “the Israeli army was informed in advance of our road clearance work in the area, southeast of the village of Marwahin.”
Following the 2006 Lebanon War, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1701, enhancing the role of already deployed peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon. The resolution called for the demilitarization of the area, and an immediate halt to hostilities between Hezbollah and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Despite these efforts, tensions in the region have remained volatile. Hezbollah continues to wield significant influence along the southern border, despite calls for its disarmament. Meanwhile, the IDF maintains a presence in at least five locations in southern Lebanon, in defiance of a November 2024 ceasefire agreement that mandated a full withdrawal.
Since the ceasefire’s implementation, Israel has carried out multiple military operations in southern Lebanon that contravene the agreement’s terms. On December 2, 2024, Israeli airstrikes targeted the towns of Talousa and Haris, resulting in at least nine fatalities and several injuries. The strikes were part of a broader campaign reportedly aimed at dozens of Hezbollah targets across Lebanon. On February 19, 2025, an Israeli drone strike killed one person in the Nabatieh district, marking another violation of the ceasefire. These actions have caused significant civilian casualties, displaced residents, and destroyed infrastructure, undermining the ceasefire’s intent.
The attacks near UNIFIL have particularly drawn strong condemnation from senior UN officials. The Israeli military maintained that it did not ‘intentionally target UN personnel’. However, Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, emphasized, “The IDF was fully aware of where the peacekeepers were.”
