BEIRUT:
The United Nations said Wednesday that Israeli drones dropped four grenades near UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, with Israel insisting there was “no intentional fire” at the force.
UNIFIL, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, called Tuesday’s incident “one of the most serious attacks” since a November ceasefire ended last year’s war between Israel and Hezbollah.
The mission said Israeli forces had “dropped four grenades close to UNIFIL peacekeepers working to clear roadblocks hindering access to a UN position”.
“One grenade impacted within 20 metres (yards) and three within approximately 100 metres of UN personnel and vehicles,” it added, reporting no casualties.
The Israeli military said troops “deployed several (stun) grenades” in response to “suspicious activity”, adding that “no intentional fire was directed at UNIFIL personnel”.
The UN force said Israel had been informed in advance of its plans to carry out road clearance work in that area, southeast of the border village of Marwahin.
