WhatsappIn a fast-moving exchange of accusations along the volatile Israel–Lebanon frontier, the Israel Defense Forces firmly denied UNIFIL claims that its peacekeepers had come under Israeli fire on Monday. The military says the gunfire originated from an operational incident involving a suspected infiltrator — not UN personnel.
According to the IDF, troops stationed at the Hamames post, just across the border from the Israeli town of Metula, identified “a suspect approaching their position” on the Lebanese side. In line with standard protocols, soldiers fired warning shots to deter the advance.
“In accordance with procedures and the rules of engagement, warning shots were fired toward the suspect,” the military said in an official statement.
During the incident, UNIFIL contacted Israeli forces, claiming they were hearing gunfire “in their direction.” The IDF says it immediately clarified that the shots were not aimed at UN observers, nor anywhere near their location.
A senior military source stressed that the gunfire was directed toward the precise vector from which the suspect had approached — a different sector entirely from where UNIFIL was operating.
“The IDF does not operate against UN forces and will continue full and ongoing coordination with their representatives,” the statement added.
The exchange underscores a familiar friction: Lebanon’s border is increasingly crowded with non-state actors, Hezbollah operatives, and international observers. With Hezbollah’s presence embedded near UN positions — often deliberately — such misunderstandings carry strategic weight. Jerusalem remains wary of any narrative suggesting it is jeopardizing UN personnel, while also maintaining a hardened posture against infiltration attempts that could escalate into cross-border attacks.
For now, the IDF’s message is clear: No targeting of UNIFIL — only a response to a suspected threat in an increasingly unstable zone.
