The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has strongly condemned an attack on one of its bases in southern Lebanon that left three Ghanaian peacekeeping soldiers injured during heavy exchanges of fire in the volatile border region.
In a series of posts on X, the UN peacekeeping mission disclosed that the incident occurred on Friday evening when intense shelling and airstrikes landed close to a UNIFIL position in Al Qawzah in southwestern Lebanon.
“Amidst heavy firing this evening, three peacekeepers were injured inside their base in Al Qawzah, southwestern Lebanon,” the mission said.
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UNIFIL added that the most severely injured peacekeeper has been transferred to a hospital in Beirut for specialised treatment, while the other two are receiving care at a UNIFIL medical facility.
The facility’s emergency response teams later contained a fire that broke out inside the base during the attack.
The UN peacekeeping force strongly criticised the incident, stressing that personnel carrying out internationally mandated peacekeeping duties must never be targeted.
“It is unacceptable that peacekeepers performing Security Council-mandated tasks are targeted,” the mission said.
UNIFIL further warned that attacks on peacekeepers could constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law.
“Any attack on UNIFIL peacekeepers constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701 and may amount to a war crime,” the statement added.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted after the 2006 Lebanon War, provides the framework for maintaining peace along the Israel–Lebanon border and forms the legal basis for the deployment of UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon.
UNIFIL said an investigation has been launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and determine the source of the fire.
“The UNIFIL will investigate the circumstances of this terrible event,” the mission stated, noting that it has not yet confirmed who was responsible.
The attack comes amid renewed cross-border hostilities between the Israel Defense Forces and armed groups in southern Lebanon, particularly Hezbollah, the militant group that has been involved in frequent exchanges of fire with Israeli forces since tensions escalated in the region.
Ghana remains one of the most consistent contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations, with hundreds of Ghanaian troops currently deployed under the UNIFIL mission.
The Ghanaian contingent plays a critical role in monitoring the “Blue Line,” the UN-demarcated boundary separating Lebanon and Israel, while also conducting patrols, supporting humanitarian operations, and helping maintain stability in communities affected by periodic hostilities.
The latest incident highlights the increasing dangers facing UN peacekeepers as tensions and military activity intensify across parts of the Middle East.
UNIFIL has repeatedly urged all parties involved in the conflict to respect international law and ensure the safety of peacekeepers and civilian infrastructure, warning that continued attacks could further destabilise an already fragile region.