Lebanon Condemns Attacks on UN Peacekeeping Forces Amid Escalating Tensions with Hezbollah

Lebanon on Monday strongly condemned recent attacks on the United Nations peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) in the country, particularly a rocket strike last week that wounded four Italian soldiers. The 10,000-strong multi-national mission, stationed in southern Lebanon, is tasked with monitoring the volatile demarcation line with Israel, an area that has been the site of heavy clashes between Hezbollah forces and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, speaking at a conference in Rome, called the attacks on UNIFIL "unjustified hostilities" and emphasized Lebanon's firm stance against any aggression toward the peacekeepers. “Lebanon strongly condemns any attack on UNIFIL and calls on all sides to respect the safety, security of the troops and their premises,” Bou Habib said. His comments came as he prepared to attend a G7 foreign ministers' meeting, where regional conflicts, including the situation in Lebanon, were to be discussed.

Hezbollah's Responsibility in Recent Attacks

Initial reports by Italy’s defense ministry had suggested that Israeli forces were behind the rocket strike, but an investigation later confirmed that Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, was responsible. UNIFIL also agreed with this assessment, stating that the attack came from non-state actors within Lebanon. Hezbollah, known for its influence in southern Lebanon, has escalated its activities along the Israel-Lebanon border, increasing tensions in the region.

In response to the growing threat, the Israel Air Force launched strikes on several Hezbollah command centers in Dahieyh, a southern suburb of Beirut. The IDF also issued evacuation orders for residents in southern Beirut neighborhoods, including Haret Hreik, citing the danger posed by ongoing military operations.

IDF and Hezbollah Conflict Escalates

The IDF has been conducting extensive operations in southern Lebanon to target Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, with reports of significant weaponry caches being discovered in civilian homes repurposed as storage sites.

Colonel Elad Zuri, commander of the IDF's 7th Armored Brigade, highlighted the challenges of neutralizing Hezbollah’s capabilities in a complex and densely populated region. “We find significant amounts of weaponry hidden in homes,” Zuri remarked, noting that Hezbollah’s activities in the region are increasingly difficult to counter due to its use of civilian areas to store arms.

The brigade's operations, which have intensified over the past several weeks, aim to reduce Hezbollah’s presence and capabilities in southern Lebanon. Despite the harsh winter weather conditions, which have created logistical challenges for the IDF, Zuri expressed confidence in the progress of the mission. He mentioned the use of the Merkava Mk. 4 tanks and the successful deployment of the ‘Trophy’ defense system, which has been effective against anti-tank missiles.