UNIFIL Site in Southern Lebanon Comes Under Gunfire

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The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced that one of its sites near the border with Israel was fired upon on Wednesday with light weapons, without any injuries resulting from the incident.

The UN force stated in a statement: "A UNIFIL site near Kfar Shuba on the Blue Line in the eastern sector was fired upon with light weapons this morning."

It added that all its personnel stationed at the site quickly took "shelter," with no injuries reported among them, while the bullets hit the "outer wall" of the site and some struck "residential units and vehicles belonging to the United Nations inside the base."

UNIFIL condemned the gunfire, considering it "unacceptable" and bearing "clear signs."

She added that "such deliberate attacks put the lives of peacekeepers at great risk," noting that she has opened an investigation into the incident.

The "UNIFIL" force, deployed in southern Lebanon since 1978, consists of about 7,500 personnel from 46 countries.

However, the UN Security Council decided in August of last year, under American pressure, to end the mandate of "UNIFIL" on December 31, 2026.

The nearing end of the "UNIFIL" mission comes at a time when Israel continues to occupy large areas in southern Lebanon.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed in September that Lebanon is open to any force that would replace the United Nations Interim Force in Southern Lebanon, emphasizing the need to avoid any "vacuum" after the withdrawal of "UNIFIL."