This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68698766#0
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
UN observers wounded by shelling in southern Lebanon | UN observers wounded by shelling in southern Lebanon |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The village of Rmeish in Lebanon | The village of Rmeish in Lebanon |
Three United Nations observers and a translator have been wounded by shelling in Rmeish, southern Lebanon, the UN peacekeeping mission said. | Three United Nations observers and a translator have been wounded by shelling in Rmeish, southern Lebanon, the UN peacekeeping mission said. |
Lebanon's state news agency reported that an Israeli drone strike was behind the explosion, but the Israeli military denied it was responsible. | Lebanon's state news agency reported that an Israeli drone strike was behind the explosion, but the Israeli military denied it was responsible. |
The UN mission, Unifil, said those hurt were receiving treatment and that it was investigating the blast's origin. | The UN mission, Unifil, said those hurt were receiving treatment and that it was investigating the blast's origin. |
It comes after rising tensions along the unofficial Israel-Lebanon border. | It comes after rising tensions along the unofficial Israel-Lebanon border. |
In a statement, Unifil said a shell had exploded near the group who had been on a foot patrol along the UN-demarcated Blue Line that divides southern Lebanon from Israel. | In a statement, Unifil said a shell had exploded near the group who had been on a foot patrol along the UN-demarcated Blue Line that divides southern Lebanon from Israel. |
It described the targeting of peacekeepers as "unacceptable". | It described the targeting of peacekeepers as "unacceptable". |
Unifil spokesman Andrea Tenenti told the BBC that locations deeper inside Lebanon were increasingly being chosen as targets, which "could potentially trigger a much wider conflict". | |
No details have been given about the nationality of the observers or their condition. The Lebanese translator is reported to be stable. | |
Lebanon's state run National News Agency said Israeli "enemy drones" raided the area in southern Lebanon where the observers were wounded. | Lebanon's state run National News Agency said Israeli "enemy drones" raided the area in southern Lebanon where the observers were wounded. |
Israel's military denied this, saying in a statement: "Contrary to the reports, the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] did not strike a Unifil vehicle in the area of Rmeish this morning." | Israel's military denied this, saying in a statement: "Contrary to the reports, the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] did not strike a Unifil vehicle in the area of Rmeish this morning." |
In recent days, tensions have again picked up along the unofficial border between Israel and Lebanon, with casualties on both sides. | In recent days, tensions have again picked up along the unofficial border between Israel and Lebanon, with casualties on both sides. |
Mr Tenenti from Unifil told the BBC's Newshour programme that targeted and lethal shelling was now happening "pretty far away from the Blue Line" in Lebanon. | |
Israel and the armed group Hezbollah trade almost daily strikes across the border, which began with the start of the Israel-Gaza war following the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel. | Israel and the armed group Hezbollah trade almost daily strikes across the border, which began with the start of the Israel-Gaza war following the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel. |
Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shia Muslim militant group with close ties to Iran and an ally of Hamas. | Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shia Muslim militant group with close ties to Iran and an ally of Hamas. |
On Friday, Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the IDF would increase its attacks against the group in Lebanon, "shifting from repelling to actively pursuing Hezbollah". | On Friday, Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the IDF would increase its attacks against the group in Lebanon, "shifting from repelling to actively pursuing Hezbollah". |
"Wherever they are hiding we will reach them," he said. | "Wherever they are hiding we will reach them," he said. |
'We are surrounded': Guarding the Middle East's most dangerous border | 'We are surrounded': Guarding the Middle East's most dangerous border |
What is Hezbollah and will it go to war with Israel? | What is Hezbollah and will it go to war with Israel? |
Meanwhile, Israel has come under pressure from the US after it said it "cannot support" an anticipated large-scale ground offensive in Rafah on Gaza's border with Egypt, where there are more than a million displaced people. | Meanwhile, Israel has come under pressure from the US after it said it "cannot support" an anticipated large-scale ground offensive in Rafah on Gaza's border with Egypt, where there are more than a million displaced people. |
US President Joe Biden's administration has been raising concerns about rising civilian deaths in Gaza and humanitarian access to the territory, which the UN says is on the verge of famine. | US President Joe Biden's administration has been raising concerns about rising civilian deaths in Gaza and humanitarian access to the territory, which the UN says is on the verge of famine. |
On Saturday, the IDF admitted killing two Palestinian men and burying their bodies with a bulldozer in "two different incidents" in Gaza. | On Saturday, the IDF admitted killing two Palestinian men and burying their bodies with a bulldozer in "two different incidents" in Gaza. |
It comes after Al Jazeera published an edited video purportedly showing the incident on Wednesday. The BBC has not independently verified the video. | It comes after Al Jazeera published an edited video purportedly showing the incident on Wednesday. The BBC has not independently verified the video. |
The Israeli military said the two men approached their forces "in a suspicious manner" and did not respond to a warning shot. | The Israeli military said the two men approached their forces "in a suspicious manner" and did not respond to a warning shot. |
They were killed and buried with a bulldozer over concerns the men carried explosives, the IDF added. | They were killed and buried with a bulldozer over concerns the men carried explosives, the IDF added. |
Related Topics | Related Topics |
Middle East | Middle East |
Israel | Israel |
Hezbollah | Hezbollah |
Lebanon | Lebanon |
UN peacekeeping | UN peacekeeping |