Through a statement, the international command, established here since 1978, called to guarantee the safety not only of peacekeepers, but of all civilians living near the Blue Line.

In this context, the UNIFIL reported that a soldier of the contingent in a position in the vicinity of Al Qawzah was hit by a bullet and at the moment remains stable and recovering after surgery.

According to the statement, the origin of the fire is unknown and the UNIFIL command launched an investigation.

In view of this scenario, UNIFIL specified that any target near the peacekeepers’ positions and the use of them to launch attacks across the Blue Line is unacceptable.

It also reminded the parties of their obligations to protect UNIFIL personnel and to avoid putting at risk the men and women working to restore stability.

Attacks against civilians or UN personnel are violations of international law that may constitute war crimes.

For more than a month, a tense atmosphere has prevailed in southern Lebanon due to the constant Israeli shelling of border towns and the response of Resistance fighters.

jrr/arm/mem/ym