The United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) says “the targeting of peacekeepers is unacceptable” after four observers on a foot patrol along the Blue Line demarcating the border between Israel and Lebanon were wounded when a shell exploded near their location.
UNTSO did not identify the source of the shelling but Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) blamed Israel.
The UN peacekeeping mission said the injured personnel were taken to a hospital for treatment and an investigation was launched into the origin of the explosion. NNA said the peacekeepers, travelling with a Lebanese translator, were from Norway, Chile and Australia.
“All actors have a responsibility under international humanitarian law to avoid targeting non-combatants, including peacekeepers, journalists, medical personnel, and civilians,” UNTSO said.
“We repeat our call for all actors to cease the current heavy exchanges of fire before more people are unnecessarily hurt.”
Source: AlJazeera
