UN peacekeeper killed in south Lebanon

A United Nations peacekeeper has died from critical injuries sustained when mortar shells struck a base in southern Lebanon, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced Thursday.

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A UNIFIL peacekeeper died early this morning from critical injuries sustained when mortar shells struck his position.

Two other peacekeepers were wounded in the incident and are receiving treatment at the base's medical facility. The critically injured peacekeeper was initially flown to a hospital in Beirut but succumbed to his wounds. UNIFIL has launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the shelling.

The Defence Forces confirmed that all Irish personnel in the region are accounted for and safe, despite the "highly volatile" situation. They remain committed to UNIFIL's mission and force protection measures, adhering to UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

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the violence must end. We reiterate our call on all actors to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times, including by refraining from actions that may put peacekeepers in danger. We also call on relevant national authorities to investigate the incident, bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure criminal accountability.

UNIFIL reported an increasing number of trajectories and impacts in southern Lebanon, urging an immediate end to the violence. The force reiterated its call for all parties to respect international law, ensure the safety of UN personnel and property, and refrain from actions endangering peacekeepers. UNIFIL emphasized that deliberate attacks on peacekeepers constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.

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Deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701, and may amount to war crimes.