Israel has admitted that its troops mistakenly fired on a United Nations position in southern Lebanon, wounding Ghanaian peacekeepers, in an incident that has heightened concerns over the safety of international forces operating in the volatile region.
In a statement to the Reuters news agency, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said a “comprehensive investigation” had determined that its tank crew misidentified UN personnel as the source of anti-tank missile fire from Hezbollah fighters. The military said its troops had been responding to incoming fire that had moderately wounded two Israeli soldiers.
“The IDF regrets the incident and has conveyed its apologies through the appropriate channels to Ghana and the United Nations. The findings of the investigations have been disseminated within the IDF to prevent recurrence of similar incidents,” the statement said.
The attack occurred on March 6 at a UN base in al-Qawzah, within the operational area of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which monitors hostilities along the border between Israel and Lebanon. The mission has increasingly found itself caught in crossfire as tensions escalate between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.
Preliminary findings from a UN-linked investigation, cited by a Western military source, indicated that three shells fired from an Israeli tank directly struck the base. The munitions, identified as 120mm M339 rounds, were said to have been discharged within a short interval, suggesting sustained fire rather than an isolated misfire.
UNIFIL had earlier confirmed that Ghanaian peacekeepers were injured during the incident, describing it as “unacceptable”, although it initially stopped short of attributing responsibility. A spokesperson for the mission, Kandice Ardiel, said investigations were ongoing and would be shared with relevant parties upon completion.
“Nonetheless, we reiterate the obligation of all actors to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers and avoid harm to civilians. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and a violation of resolution 1701,” she said.
According to Ghana’s military authorities, three Ghanaian soldiers sustained injuries during the attack. The development has drawn attention in Ghana, given the country’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping operations.
The incident comes against the backdrop of a widening conflict in the region, which intensified after Hezbollah launched rocket attacks into Israel, prompting retaliatory strikes. Despite a ceasefire arrangement last year, Israeli forces have continued targeted operations in southern Lebanon, citing the need to curb Hezbollah’s military capabilities.
UNIFIL has also reported separate incidents in which peacekeepers were fired upon, likely by non-state armed groups, further underlining the increasingly dangerous environment in which the mission operates.
Security analysts warn that the escalation could significantly undermine UNIFIL’s mandate, especially as the mission approaches its scheduled end in 2026. The presence of Israeli military positions inside Lebanese territory and ongoing hostilities have raised questions about compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which restricts armed activity in the area to Lebanese forces and UN peacekeepers.
The latest incident is expected to intensify diplomatic engagements between the UN, Israel and troop-contributing countries, including Ghana, over the protection of peacekeepers and adherence to international humanitarian law.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh