Naqoura: UNIFIL has expressed growing concerns about the activities of Hizbullah members and Israeli soldiers near its positions. According to a statement released by UNIFIL, the increased use of drones has resulted in explosions around UNIFIL bases, posing risks to peacekeepers.

According to National News Agency – Lebanon, an incident on Monday, 11 May, saw three presumed Hizbullah drones detonate near Israel Defense Forces soldiers, close to UNIFIL’s Naqoura headquarters. Another drone exploded in the same area on Tuesday, 12 May. Subsequently, a presumed Hizbullah drone detonated inside UNIFIL’s headquarters, damaging buildings but causing no injuries.

In a separate event on Sunday, 10 May, an unarmed drone crashed in an open space at UNIFIL’s Naqoura headquarters. Preliminary investigations suggest the drone was of Iranian manufacture, indicating a Hizbullah launch. An investigation is ongoing to confirm its origin. Additionally, on Tuesday, 5 May, an armed, fibre optic-guided drone believed to be from Hizbullah crashed into a UN position near Al Hinniyah. Fortunately, it did not detonate, and no injuries were reported.

UNIFIL continues to urge all parties to avoid actions that could endanger peacekeepers, highlighting protests against the presence and movements of IDF personnel near their headquarters and activities of non-state actors. Despite these challenging circumstances, UNIFIL remains committed to impartially reporting on the situation in south Lebanon to the Security Council.