In a statement, FINUL said that the patrol was initially faced with the refusal of a group of individuals (one of them armed) to their freedom of movement, while patrolling the village of Bedias, but that they managed to continue on the planned route.
About an hour later, when the patrol had just crossed the village of Maarakeh, east of the city of Tyre, "it was shot around 40 times in the back, probably by non-state actors".
The head of the mission ordered the patrol to quickly leave the area, without abandoning the planned route, and go safely to a UNIFIL base in Deir Kifa.
"Although some patrol vehicles had bullet holes, there were no injuries among the peacekeeping forces," the mission clarified, adding that it had opened an investigation into the incident and informed the Lebanese Army of what had happened.
FINUL considers it "unacceptable" that its forces are regularly targeted by attacks while carrying out tasks ordered by the Security Council and states that these episodes are reminiscent of the dangerous situation in which these soldiers operate daily in southern Lebanon.
FINUL says it is the responsibility of the Lebanese authorities to ensure that members of the peacekeeping mission can carry out "without fear or threats" the tasks entrusted to them.
FINUL has repeatedly reported attacks on its patrols. Several mission troops were injured in attacks mainly carried out by Israel against their positions in southern Lebanon.
Since Israel began its invasion of southern Lebanon in the early hours of October 1, Israeli authorities have repeatedly called on UNIFIL to leave the region.
Two Israeli attacks launched today against the town of Al Mari, in southeastern Lebanon, resulted in the death of a Lebanese soldier and injuries to three others, official sources reported.
The Lebanese Army noted in a statement that Israel "directly attacked an Army center in the town of Al Mari, which caused the martyrdom of a soldier and injuries to three others, one of whom is in critical condition."
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