Israel’s military said on Sunday that its troops did not intentionally target United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), soldiers misidentified the peacekeepers as “suspects” due to poor visibility during bad weather.

In a statement, the IDF explained, “After a review, it was determined that the suspects were UN soldiers who were conducting a patrol in the area and were classified as suspects due to poor weather conditions.” The military added, “No deliberate fire was directed toward UNIFIL soldiers.”

Troops Fired Warning Shots After Spotting “Two Suspects”

The IDF said the incident occurred in the Al-Hamames area, where troops noticed what they believed were “two suspects.” Soldiers then fired warning shots, causing the individuals to retreat. A later assessment confirmed the people were UN peacekeepers on patrol.

The statement continued, “The IDF emphasizes that no deliberate fire was directed toward UNIFIL soldiers, and the matter is being handled through official liaison channels,” adding that Israel would continue operations to “remove any threat” to its security.

UNIFIL Calls It a “Serious Violation”

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) offered a different account. It reported that Israeli troops fired from a Merkava tank positioned near an Israeli outpost. Heavy machine gun rounds landed roughly five meters from peacekeepers who were walking in the area.

The peacekeepers took cover and immediately contacted Israeli forces through liaison channels to halt the firing. They withdrew safely after about 30 minutes once the tank moved back. No injuries were recorded.

UNIFIL described the incident as a “serious violation” of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The mission urged the IDF to “cease any aggressive behavior and attacks on or near peacekeepers,” stressing that UN personnel work to maintain stability along the border.

Incident Follows Months of Tension Along the Border

UNIFIL positions have been struck several times since cross-border clashes began following the Gaza war in October 2023. Although Hezbollah and Israel reached a ceasefire, Israeli forces have continued to carry out limited strikes in Lebanon, citing ongoing threats posed by Hezbollah. Israel has also kept some positions active beyond the February 18 withdrawal deadline.