Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The Israeli military accused the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Monday of deliberately shooting down one of its reconnaissance drones during what it described as a “routine intelligence-gathering mission” over southern Lebanon.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, IDF spokesperson Nadav Shoshani said: “An Israeli reconnaissance drone was shot down yesterday in the Kfar Kila area of southern Lebanon during routine intelligence collection operations. An initial investigation indicates that UNIFIL forces stationed nearby intentionally fired at the drone and brought it down.”
Following the incident, Shoshani said Israeli forces dropped an explosive device in the area where the drone crashed “for operational reasons,” but stressed that the IDF “did not fire at UNIFIL personnel.”
UNIFIL Confirms It Fired Defensive Measures
In a statement released Sunday, UNIFIL confirmed that one of its peacekeeping patrols had encountered an Israeli drone flying “in an aggressive manner” directly above it. “Peacekeepers applied necessary defensive countermeasures to neutralize the drone,” the statement said.
UNIFIL described the event as a “serious violation” of its safety and operational security, adding that such overflights “demonstrate disregard for the safety and security of UN peacekeepers, who are carrying out their mandated duties under Security Council authorization in southern Lebanon.”
Shortly afterward, the UN mission reported a second incident involving another Israeli drone approaching one of its patrols near Kfar Kila. “Moments later, the drone dropped an explosive device, and an Israeli tank fired a shell toward the peacekeepers,” UNIFIL said, confirming that no personnel were injured and no damage was reported to vehicles or equipment.
Ongoing Investigation
The Israeli military said the matter remains under investigation “through established military liaison channels.” UNIFIL and the IDF maintain a direct line of communication intended to prevent such incidents and to manage tensions along the volatile Blue Line that separates Israel and Lebanon.
The incident occurred south of the Litani River, an area central to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The resolution required Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon, disarm Hezbollah’s military wing, and deploy both the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL forces to stabilize the region.
However, Israel has maintained control of five strategic hilltops in southern Lebanon contrary to the terms of the ceasefire, while continuing to carry out airstrikes, particularly in the south, amid periodic clashes with Hezbollah.
Rising Tensions Over Hezbollah Disarmament
The latest incident comes amid renewed tension inside Lebanon following a controversial government decision, reportedly made under U.S. pressure in August, to strip Hezbollah of its weapons. The Lebanese Army subsequently drafted a five-phase plan for disarmament and redeployment, but the Iran-backed group swiftly rejected the move, calling it a “historic mistake.”
Analysts warn that the confrontation between Israel and UNIFIL could further complicate the already fragile security situation along the Lebanese-Israeli border, where both sides have exchanged sporadic fire since the Gaza conflict reignited regional hostilities.
UNIFIL has long served as a buffer force between the two countries, but this latest exchange underscores the growing risks faced by peacekeepers as tensions escalate on multiple fronts in the Middle East.
