United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) spokesman Andrea Tenenti said Sunday that a rocket shell struck a UNIFIL peacekeeping operation location in southern Lebanon but no one was injured.
On Sunday, Lebanese Hezbollah militants attacked Israeli army posts and a village near the northern border. Israel responded with airstrikes in Lebanon as UN peacekeepers warned that border hostilities were intensifying. One person was killed and three others were injured in an attack by Hezbollah on the farming town of Shtula, according to the militant group and Israeli medical personnel, as the deadliest border violence since a month-long conflict in 2006 began its second week.
The Israeli army and Hezbollah have exchanged fire along the Israel-Lebanon border throughout the past week, escalating tension and resulting in casualties on both sides. This recent sporadic firing over the Israel-Lebanon border has stoked worries that clashes with Hamas militants in Gaza could turn into a larger conflict.
UNIFIL said in a statement concerning the intensifying fire, “We continue to actively engage with authorities on both sides of the Blue Line to de-escalate the situation, but regrettably despite our efforts military escalation continues. We urge all the parties involved to cease fire and allow us, as peacekeepers, to help find solutions.” The peacekeepers added, “We remind all the parties involved that attacks against civilians or UN personnel are violations of international law that may amount to war crimes.”
Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, stated that Israel has no intention of going to war on its northern front and that Israel will maintain the status at the border as it is provided Hezbollah exercises restraint.