Israel expresses regret following tank fire that struck a UN base in southern Lebanon, resulting in injuries to peacekeepers
Israel acknowledges that its tank fire inadvertently struck a UN base in southern Lebanon, resulting in injuries to Ghanaian peacekeepers amid confrontations with Hezbollah.
The Israel Defense Forces stated on Wednesday that they “regret the incident” following tank fire that hit a United Nations position in southern Lebanon, resulting in injuries to Ghanaian peacekeepers.
Israel’s military has admitted that its forces inadvertently struck a base run by the UN peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, during a clash with Hezbollah fighters earlier this month.
Preliminary findings from a UN-linked investigation and military sources indicate that at least three Ghanaian soldiers sustained injuries when the base in al-Qawzah was subjected to repeated tank fire.
The Israeli military reported that its forces reacted to anti-tank missile fire from Hezbollah, which resulted in injuries to two of its soldiers. However, it was later concluded that the troops had misidentified the origin of the attack.
“A thorough investigation determined that the fire involving UNIFIL personnel was conducted in error,” the IDF stated, noting that apologies had been extended to both Ghana and the United Nations.
UNIFIL, responsible for monitoring hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border, previously characterized the incident as “unacceptable” and cautioned that any assault on peacekeepers might contravene international humanitarian law.
Investigators determined that the strikes were executed with 120 mm tank shells and took place within a brief period, indicating continuous fire rather than a singular misfire.
The incident underscores the increasing dangers faced by UN personnel amid rising tensions in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters have been involved in regular confrontations despite a ceasefire agreement established last year.
Officials from UNIFIL report that their investigation is still in progress and are urging all parties to prioritize the safety of peacekeepers amid the escalating violence in the region.
