The United Nations (UN) expressed growing alarm over rising military activity and drone explosions near its peacekeeping bases in southern Lebanon, calling on all parties to implement ceasefire arrangements and ensure the safety of UN personnel.
Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said at a press briefing Wednesday that the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers are increasingly concerned by the presence of Hezbollah members and Israeli soldiers near UN positions, and especially by the recent surge in drone use that has caused explosions in and around UNIFIL bases and put peacekeepers at risk.
"UNIFIL continues to remind all actors to avoid operating in proximity of United Nations positions and personnel, and further urges all actors to avoid any actions that could put peacekeepers in danger," said Haq.
Responding to a question regarding UNIFIL's restricted freedom of movement and the impact on the operational space for peacekeepers to fulfill their mandate, Haq stressed that the issue has been raised by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres with various parties, and that local UN officials have communicated those concerns on the ground.
"The secretary-general has been raising this with a number of parties, and his officials on the ground have also raised this in particular with the Lebanese government and with the government of Israel as well as with the Israel Defense Forces and the Lebanese armed forces. Obviously anything that impedes the work of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon hinders our men, us from going about our mandated tasks," said Haq.
The UNIFIL said on Wednesday that a series of drone incidents near and inside its positions in southern Lebanon had endangered peacekeepers and damaged UN facilities.
UNIFIL said in a statement that several presumed Hezbollah drones detonated on Monday and Tuesday near its headquarters in the southern town of Naqoura, where Israeli soldiers could have been present.
According to the statement, three drones exploded between 17:00 and 17:30 local time on Monday within meters of the headquarters, followed by another drone explosion in the same area on Tuesday, and another drone detonated inside the headquarters, damaging several buildings. No injuries were reported.
The statement also said that a drone crashed into an open area within the UNIFIL headquarters on Sunday, and it was confirmed that the drone was not carrying any weapons. On May 5, an armed drone, suspected to have been launched by Hezbollah, crashed onto the roof of a UN compound building near Al Hinniyeh, without causing an explosion.
UNIFIL said it is increasingly concerned about the activities of both Hezbollah members and Israeli soldiers near UN positions, adding that it had protested the presence and movement of Israeli troops and vehicles near its headquarters, as well as the activities of non-state actors near UN positions.
UN voices concern over drone blasts near Lebanon peacekeepers
