Beirut, Dec 10 (Petra)- UNIFIL forces operating in southern Lebanon reported that soldiers on patrol along the Blue Line were fired upon by the Israeli army.

In a statement Wednesday, the international force said Israeli forces fired bursts from a Merkava tank over and near the patrol. UN peacekeepers immediately requested, through UNIFIL communication channels, that the Israeli army cease fire.

The statement noted that both UNIFIL personnel and the Israeli tank were on Lebanese territory at the time, and no injuries were reported among the patrol members.

UNIFIL confirmed that the Israeli army had been notified in advance of the patrol’s location and timing, in accordance with procedures for operating in sensitive areas near the Blue Line. It emphasized that attacking or targeting peacekeepers constitutes a serious violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

The force called on the Israeli Army to halt aggressive behavior and attacks against UN peacekeepers, who work to maintain calm and restore stability along the Blue Line.

//Petra// AF