The United Nations reported that four Ghanaian peacekeepers were injured when a rocket hit their base in the Ramyeh area of southern Lebanon on Tuesday.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that peacekeepers and facilities were targeted in three separate incidents on the same day.
In the south, in the village of Shama, which has seen heavy clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, another peacekeeping base was damaged by rocket fire.
In a separate attack, an armed individual “fired directly” at a UNIFIL patrol near Khirbat Silim, but no injuries were reported.
UN Peacekeeping Chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix expressed concern about the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Forces. He stated, “If military activity is taking place near a UN position, it puts the peacekeepers in danger. This risks their lives. We are making all parties understand this.”
Lacroix reminded all parties of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property. “This will also include ensuring that military activities are not conducted too close to UN positions,” he added.
UNIFIL announced that investigations have been launched into each of the violent incidents, and that the Lebanese Army has been informed.
These events came a day after Israel launched airstrikes on Beirut, targeting an area near the UN headquarters, the parliament, and several embassies, with the Lebanese Health Ministry reporting at least five deaths and 31 injuries.
Since late September, Israel has significantly intensified its bombing campaign against Lebanon, vowing to cripple the militant group Hezbollah and end the rocket fire aimed at Israel.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador Amos Hochstein, visiting Beirut, described talks with senior Lebanese officials about a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah as “constructive.”
“I am committed to doing everything I can to work with the governments of Lebanon and Israel to end this conflict,” he said.
Hochstein’s visit follows reports that the Lebanese militant group has responded positively to a US draft proposal aimed at ending the 13-month-long war.
Washington is working on a proposal to end hostilities, which would include withdrawing Israeli ground forces from Lebanon and pushing Hezbollah forces away from the Israeli border.
As part of the agreement, additional Lebanese and UN peacekeepers would be deployed to the southern Lebanon buffer zone.
Hochstein expressed hope for a resolution in the coming days.
