Lebanese army detains six individuals following armed assault on UN peacekeepers in the south

The Lebanese military has taken six individuals into custody after gunmen targeted UN peacekeepers patrolling in the southern region of the country. The incident occurred just as a United Nations Security Council delegation was preparing to visit the area.

According to a statement from the army on Saturday, the intelligence directorate apprehended six Lebanese nationals linked to Thursdays assault. During the attack, six assailants on three mopeds fired at a UN patrol vehicle, but fortunately, no one was injured. The army emphasized that any aggression against UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, will not be tolerated.

For nearly fifty years, UNIFIL forces have served as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon, in addition to monitoring the ceasefire agreement reached last November between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed group.

The arrests followed a meeting on Friday between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the visiting UNSC delegation. Aoun noted that the delegations tour of southern Lebanon would allow them to observe the actual situation on the ground, amid rising tensions with Israel and the armys ongoing efforts to disarm Hezbollah.

Although last years truce called for Israeli forces to withdraw from Lebanon and for Hezbollah to disarm, Israeli troops still occupy at least five locations in Lebanese territory and have carried out near-daily operations, resulting in over 300 fatalities, according to UN reports.

Israel maintains that its actions aim to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capabilities, yet these operations have led to the deaths of civilians and the destruction of residential areas and essential infrastructure. UNIFIL has also reported instances of Israeli fire directed at or near its peacekeepers.

The UNSC delegations visit coincides with preliminary efforts to foster direct talks between Lebanon and Israel through a ceasefire monitoring mechanism. President Aoun told the delegates that Lebanon has committed to pursuing negotiations with Israel, declaring that there is no turning back.

However, Hezbollah expressed strong opposition to these early engagements, accusing Lebanon of granting Israel an unconditional concession while the attacks continue.

Author: Natalie Monroe