Israel admits accidental strike on UN mission in Lebanon

The Israeli army has acknowledged that tank fire struck a UNIFIL peacekeeping position in southern Lebanon on 6 March, wounding Ghanaian soldiers. It said the incident was the result of an error.

The position was mistaken for a site from which Hezbollah had fired, in an attack that also wounded two Israeli soldiers. Israel apologised for the incident.

Preliminary findings from a UNIFIL investigation indicate that three shells from an Israeli tank’s main gun hit the base. According to sources, the type of ammunition points clearly to Israeli origin. The mission has described the incident as ‘unacceptable’, but the investigation has not yet been concluded.

Tensions in southern Lebanon have risen since the outbreak of the war in the region, when Hezbollah began shelling Israel. UNIFIL, tasked with overseeing the ceasefire, has repeatedly found itself caught between the sides in the conflict. With the possible expansion of Israel’s ground operation, the risk to peacekeepers is increasing, according to sources.

As recently as Sunday, additional members of the mission came under fire, possibly from non-state armed groups.

(reuters, lud)