UN peacekeepers' southern Lebanon base hit by gunfire
UNIFIL, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, said several rounds of small arms fire struck its position near Kfar Shouba on the Blue Line, damaging accommodation units and UN vehicles, though no one was hurt. The mission said it had launched an investigation and did not name who fired, while warning that attacks on peacekeepers may amount to war crimes. The incident lands as Lebanon and Israel's June Framework Agreement, which provides for a gradual Israeli withdrawal, is being tested by continued attacks.
Bottom line — Israel continues operations in southern Lebanon despite the June 26 Framework Agreement, and UNIFIL's investigation has yet to name a shooter.
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UNIFIL said all peacekeepers took shelter after the first round and that most rounds hit the perimeter wall, per its Telegram statement.
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The Blue Line was set up by the UN in 2000 to confirm Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon after a two-decade occupation, according to Anadolu Ajansı.
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UNIFIL cited UN Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted in August 2006 after a 33-day war, which calls for the area between the Blue Line and the Litani River to be free of weapons except those of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL.
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Lebanese official figures cited by Anadolu Ajansı put the death toll from Israeli attacks since 2 March at 4,386, with 12,407 wounded.
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Anadolu Ajansı reports that Israel has continued attacks and maintains a military presence in parts of the south despite the agreement, including territory held for decades.
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Separately, gov.uk reports that British soldiers from the 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland have begun a three-week training exercise with the Lebanese Armed Forces in October, called PEGASUS CEDAR 2026.
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The UK's ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell, described the exercise as a demonstration of an enduring partnership, while British training teams work across the Lebanese Army, Navy and Air Force.