Israeli Forces Allegedly Fire on UN Peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon Tensions Rise

The recent actions of Israeli forces in southern Lebanon have escalated tensions, particularly concerning the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). On November 16, 2025, Israeli soldiers reportedly fired upon UN peacekeepers, marking a significant incident amid ongoing violations of a ceasefire with Hezbollah.

Details of the Incident

According to UNIFIL, the Israeli fire came from a Merkava tank positioned in Lebanese territory. The rounds fired were remarkably close to UN personnel, hitting within approximately 5 meters (5.5 yards). Fortunately, the peacekeepers managed to withdraw safely after about 30 minutes, once the tank retreated behind Israeli lines.

Israel’s military cited “poor weather conditions” as the reason for this mistake, claiming they misidentified UN patrols as potential threats. This incident is part of a troubling trend, as UNIFIL noted that Israeli drones had previously dropped grenades near peacekeepers in September, with one impacting within 20 meters (22 yards) of their positions.

Lebanese Army Response

The Lebanese army condemned these actions, stating that it is coordinating with allied nations to address ongoing Israeli violations. They characterized these incidents as dangerous escalations that require urgent attention.

UNIFIL’s Stance

UNIFIL expressed deep concern over the recent shooting, calling it a severe breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. This resolution ended the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and underpinned a truce established in November 2024.

• The resolution aimed to maintain peace along the Israel-Lebanon border.
• UNIFIL has advocated for a halt to Israeli military aggression toward peacekeepers.

Ongoing Israeli-Lebanese Tensions

The ongoing conflict has resulted in substantial casualties in Lebanon since the onset of hostilities in October 2023. Reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes have claimed over 4,000 lives, primarily civilians, and displaced more than one million people. Israel’s actions have included significant destruction of villages and ongoing occupation of Lebanese territory.

Lebanon’s Planned Action

In a separate but related issue, Lebanon intends to file a complaint with the UN Security Council regarding Israel’s construction of a concrete wall along their southern border. This wall reportedly crosses the “Blue Line,” a 120 km (75-mile) delineation established by the UN to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has urged this action in response to the wall, which has allegedly blocked access to around 4,000 square meters (43,055 square feet) of land.

UNIFIL has declared that Israeli construction within Lebanese territory contravenes Resolution 1701 and undermines Lebanon’s sovereignty. They stressed the need for Israel to respect the entirety of the Blue Line and withdraw from all areas north of it.