A U.N. peacekeeping force stationed in southern Lebanon was hit by new explosions on Friday morning, injuring two peacekeepers a day after Israeli forces struck the same position. The force, known as UNIFIL, reported that the explosions occurred near an observation tower at its headquarters in Naqoura. Additionally, an Israeli army bulldozer hit the perimeter of another UNIFIL position in southern Lebanon, prompting the deployment of additional peacekeepers.
The escalation in violence comes amid increased Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon and a ground invasion at the border, following clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. In central Beirut, two Israeli strikes killed at least 22 people and injured dozens, with one strike targeting a top Hezbollah security official who was not present at the time. The attacks have drawn international condemnation.
Hezbollah has expanded its rocket fire into more populated areas in Israel, resulting in the death of a farmworker from Thailand. In Beirut, rescue workers continue to search through rubble from collapsed buildings, with several people injured in the strikes.
The U.S. has voiced support for Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, citing the need to allow Israeli citizens to return home. The United Nations, through UNIFIL, is working to ensure the safety of its peacekeepers in southern Lebanon amid the escalating conflict. Israel accuses Hezbollah of violating a U.N. Security Council resolution by establishing militant infrastructure along the border.
The conflict poses a significant threat to stability in the region, with the potential for further escalation as Israel seeks to weaken Hezbollah and its supporters, including Iran. The U.N. is urging all parties to seek a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
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