A United Nations peacekeeper was injured in southern Lebanon after being hit by gunfire, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) said, the fifth member of the multinational force injured in recent days.
In a statement on Saturday, Unifil said the peacekeepers were injured at their headquarters in the southern city of Naquora on Friday evening amid “ongoing military activity nearby”, although adding that they did not know the origin of the fire.
“He underwent surgery at our Naqoura hospital to remove the bullet and is now stable,” the statement said.
Elsewhere, about 20 people were killed in an Israeli attack in Jabalia in Gaza on Friday night, according to Reuters news agency, citing doctors.
It comes as fighting continues in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces have called on United Nations peacekeepers to leave their positions. A Unifil spokesman said Saturday that there was a “unanimous decision” to stay in the border area.
Separately, Unifil said buildings at a location in the village of Ramyah suffered “significant damage due to explosions from nearby shelling” on Friday night.
“We remind all parties of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and facilities, including by avoiding close combat operations,” the delegation said. Unifil positions”.
On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) admitted that its troops were responsible for an incident that injured two Sri Lankan soldiers, also in Naqoura.
The IDF said soldiers operating near the base opened fire after identifying a threat and that the incident would be investigated “at the highest level”.
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “strongly condemns” the attack.
On Thursday, two Indonesian peacekeepers were injured when they fell from an observation tower after Israeli tanks fired towards it.
When asked about Friday’s incidents, US President Joe Biden said he was “absolutely, positively” urging Israel to act. ceasefire on United Nations peacekeeping forces.
The leaders of France, Italy and Spain also condemned Israel’s actions, saying in a joint statement that they were baseless and should end immediately.
Earlier, the IDF said on Saturday there were dozens more launches from Lebanon into Israel – some of which were intercepted.
