UNIFIL reports injured peacekeepers and 773 firing incidents in south Lebanon; drone dropped grenade near position

A United Nations spokesperson said two UNIFIL peacekeepers who were injured on Wednesday are “continuing to receive treatment at UNIFIL medical facility in South Lebanon” and wished them “a quick and swift recovery. Uh, full recovery.” The spokesperson said their colleagues continue operational duties while observing “intensive IDF activity across UNIFIL's area of operations, including sustained air strikes and helicopter fire” in both east and west sectors.

The briefing cited UNIFIL reports of a total of 773 firing incidents originating from Israeli Defence Forces positions south of the Blue Line within UNIFIL’s area of operations. The spokesperson added that peacekeepers detected 15 projectile trajectories from north to south — including one crossing the Blue Line — and noted ground forces observed 29 projectile interceptions by Israeli forces in the area.

Peacekeepers also reported the establishment of two roadblocks near a UNIFIL position in the western sector and the presence of two armed drones near a UNIFIL position north of Bayada; one of the drones “dropped a grenade in the vicinity before turning back,” the spokesperson said. The briefing emphasized that a full freedom of movement for UNIFIL throughout its area of operations is essential for it to carry out its mandate and warned that incidents putting UN peacekeepers or UN property at risk are of grave concern.

The spokesperson did not announce any new UN measures or Security Council actions during the briefing. The United Nations reiterated calls for all parties to avoid actions that endanger UN personnel and to respect UNIFIL’s freedom of movement.