Israeli forces have launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon as part of their escalation against the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, with whom they have engaged in almost daily firefights over the past year.
Israeli forces called on UN peacekeepers to leave their positions. A Unifil spokesman said on Saturday that it was a “unanimous decision” to stay in the border region.
Separately, UNIFIL said buildings at a position in the village of Ramya suffered “significant damage due to explosions from nearby shelling” on Friday evening.
“We remind all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and premises, including avoiding hostilities in the vicinity of Unifil positions,” the mission said.
On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) admitted that its forces were responsible for an incident that left two Sri Lankan soldiers, also in Nakura, injured.
The IDF said soldiers operating near the base opened fire after detecting a threat and that the incident would be investigated “at the highest level.”
Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry said it “strongly condemns” the attack.
On Thursday, two Indonesian peacekeepers were injured when they fell from an observation tower after Israeli tanks fired on it.
Lt. Gen. Sean Clancy, chief of staff for the Irish Defense Forces, said he did not believe Thursday’s strike was accidental. Around 340 Irish troops are currently deployed in Lebanon with Unifil.
“An observation tower with a tank shell right in it, which is a very small target, has to be very sophisticated,” he told Irish broadcaster RTÉ.
“Thus, from a military point of view, this is not an accidental act, it is a direct act.
“Whether it’s indiscipline or focus, either way it’s unacceptable and unacceptable.”
The leaders of France, Italy and Spain also condemned Israel’s actions, saying in a joint statement that they were unjustified and must stop immediately.
On Saturday, Lebanon’s health ministry said nine people were killed in Israeli strikes on villages north and south of the capital Beirut.
The IDF also ordered residents of 23 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate to areas north of the Awali River.
Hezbollah continued to shell Israel, and the IDF said about 320 shells had been identified and some had been intercepted.
On Saturday, the IDF announced that areas around the northern towns of Zarit, Shomera, Shtula, Netua and Eben Menachem would be closed to civilians from 20:00 local time (18:00 BST).
