The United Nations peacekeeping mission stationed in southern Lebanon reported shooting down an Israeli drone on Sunday. The incident occurred when the drone was observed flying in an “aggressive manner” over a UN patrol near the border town of Kfar Kila. Peacekeepers responded with necessary defensive measures.
However, the Israeli military offered a different perspective, stating the drone was engaged in routine intelligence gathering and did not pose a threat to UN forces. A spokesperson for the Israeli military suggested the drone’s downing was deliberate and unprovoked. Following the incident, Israeli forces reportedly dropped a grenade near the location where the drone fell, though they assert no fire was directed at the UN peacekeepers.
This event adds to the heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, despite a ceasefire agreement established last year. While the agreement stipulated Israeli troop withdrawal and Hezbollah repositioning, Israel has continued drone surveillance and air strikes in Lebanon, citing efforts to counter Hezbollah’s activities. The UN and Lebanese government have voiced concerns, viewing these actions as violations of Lebanese sovereignty and the ceasefire terms.
The downing of an Israeli drone by UN forces is a rare occurrence. The UN peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, has been present in southern Lebanon since 1978. This marks a significant escalation in a region already experiencing volatile cross-border exchanges.
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