Southern Lebanon — The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Wednesday that Israeli drones dropped grenades dangerously close to its peacekeepers as they were carrying out a road-clearing mission near Marwahin, a tense border area where clashes between Israel and Hezbollah remain a daily threat.
According to UNIFIL, four grenades were deployed by Israeli drones while the peacekeepers worked to remove roadblocks. One explosive landed just 20 meters away from personnel and vehicles, while the other three struck roughly 100 meters away. The mission was immediately suspended over safety concerns.
UNIFIL stressed that it had informed the Israeli military in advance about the road-clearing operation. The statement described the episode as one of the most serious attacks against UN personnel since last November’s ceasefire ended the 14-month Gaza war.
The Israeli military later claimed the devices were “sonic bombs” intended to deter a suspect in the area. It added that UNIFIL had been notified only after the incident. UNIFIL firmly rejected that account, reiterating that Israel had been informed ahead of time and was aware of the peacekeepers’ presence.
The incident has drawn sharp condemnation from international actors. France, a key contributor to UNIFIL forces, denounced Israel’s actions as a “grave violation” of international law. Qatar also demanded accountability, warning that targeting neutral UN forces undermines regional stability.
UNIFIL called on all sides to respect its mandate and guarantee the safety of its peacekeepers. Established in 1978, the force is tasked with monitoring the cessation of hostilities, supporting Lebanese sovereignty in the south, and maintaining a buffer between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.
The attack underscores the escalating dangers facing peacekeepers in southern Lebanon and highlights Israel’s increasing disregard for international conventions governing UN operations. Critics argue that such actions only deepen the cycle of mistrust and violence in a region already scarred by conflict.
According to The Guardian, the Israeli defence ministry has barred foreign journalists from entering Gaza in what observers see as an effort to curtail independent reporting on the killing of Palestinian civilians, the bombardment of neighborhoods with artillery shells, and the deployment of so-called “sonic bombs” designed to terrify the local population.
According to Al Jazeera, UNIFIL underscored the gravity of the incident, declaring, “This is one of the most serious attacks on UNIFIL personnel and assets since the cessation of hostilities agreement of last November,” the force said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to Reuters, UNIFIL’s leadership emphasized that peacekeepers must never be subjected to attacks while carrying out their duties and urged immediate steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
