The headquarters of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers in southern Lebanon was struck yesterday when an Israeli surveillance drone crashed into the building. There were no casualties, according to the UNIFIL.
The IDF has confirmed that the device belonged to them, but did not provide any information on why it was flying over the UNIFIL site. The UNIFIL said their personnel had neutralized the device, and determined it was not in any way armed, but just equipped with a camera.
Israel carries out strikes with armed drone on virtually a daily basis in Lebanon, so while it turns out this particular drone was not armed, it is understandable why the UNIFIL was cautious when the device ended up careening into their building.
IDF troops training in the use of surveillance drones | image from Wikimedia
A UNIFIL spokesperson cautioned this incident, and the presence of Israeli drone in Lebanese airspace, amounted to both a violation of UN Resolution 1701 and Lebanese sovereignty. They said they take potential threats against peacekeepers very seriously.
Israel attacking UNIFIL personnel is not particularly unusual. Indeed just a few weeks ago Israeli drones dropped grenades on a group of UNIFIL personnel who had already informed the IDF of where in Lebanon they would be and what they would be doing.
Israeli troop repeatedly attacked UNIFIL peacekeepers during last year’s ground invasion of Lebanon, and has continued to fire on them since the ceasefire went into effect. Israel made it clear they want the UNIFIL to be dissolved outright.
That didn’t happen, and the UN extended its mandate through the end of 2026, though the resolution doing so suggested this would be the last mandate for the group. The US reportedly insisted on this position, though it does not necessarily preclude future votes for its continuation.
That means the UNIFIL will remain in Lebanon, which is nominally in a state of ceasefire, for at least another year, though Israel’s ongoing strikes in the area mean they will be in ongoing danger.
