The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has reported in the early hours of this Monday the death of one of its soldiers after the explosion of a projectile in one of its positions in the Marjayoun district, in the Nabatiye governorate, in the southeast of the country, an incident in which another member of the peace contingent has been seriously injured.
"A member of the peacekeeping forces tragically died last night when a projectile exploded in a UNIFIL position near Adshit al Qusair. Another was seriously injured," the mission stated in a statement in which it called for "nobody should lose their life serving the cause of peace."
In the note, the UN mission extends its condolences to the family, loved ones and colleagues of the deceased soldier, who "lost his life while bravely fulfilling his duty", and likewise expresses its support to the other operative, who "is hospitalized with serious injuries".
Regarding what happened, UNIFIL has stated "to be unaware of the origin of the projectile", although it has launched "an investigation to determine all circumstances" and has stressed that "deliberate attacks against peacekeeping forces constitute serious violations of International Humanitarian Law and of Security Council resolution 1701, and may constitute war crimes".
"We reiterate our call to all actors to comply with their obligations under International Law and ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and assets at all times, including by refraining from actions that could endanger peacekeepers," adds the statement, in which UNIFIL regrets that "too many lives have been lost on both sides of the Blue Line in this conflict." "There is no military solution. The violence must end," it concluded.
In recent months, the UN peace mission has suffered numerous episodes of violence since Israel launched a broad bombing campaign against targets it links to the Lebanese Shiite party-militia Hezbollah, after this group initiated a series of attacks following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, former Iranian supreme leader, coinciding with the first day of joint attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Until now, the most serious incidents for UNIFIL personnel had resulted in injuries, such as the three peacekeepers affected when two missiles impacted the base of the Ghana battalion in Al Qawza, in southwestern Lebanon, amid an exchange of fire between the Israeli Army and Hezbollah.