By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Saturday issued a note to reporters in New York stated that 1 UN peacekeeper was injured on Friday after heavy machine gunfire from Israel Defense Forces positions south of the Blue Line, after a nearby grenade explosion, impacted close to a UN patrol in southern Lebanon.
According to a note issued, the incident occurred as a patrol of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon was inspecting a roadblock in the village of Bastarra in southern Lebanon.
The Blue Line set by the Un stretches for approximately 120kms along Lebanon’s southern frontier and serves as a “line of withdrawal” to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from the south of Lebanon.
UNIFIL patrol reported machine gunfire from south of the Blue Line in immediate proximity to its position near the village of Kfar Shouba, media reported.
Mr. Dujarric said “UNIFIL had informed the Israel Defense Forces about the activities in those areas in advance, following usual practice for patrols in sensitive areas near the Blue Line”.
He noted that in recent days, incidents restricting UNIFIL’s movement by local individuals also took place in the Mission’s area of operations.
“Any act that may jeopardize the safety and security of United Nations peacekeepers is completely unacceptable,” Mr. Dujarric said.
“We reiterate our call to all actors to cease activities that risk the wellbeing of peacekeepers and interfere with their mandated activities in support of the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701,” he added.
He reminded the parties of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers.
