Yesterday, peacekeepers in vehicles patrolling the Blue Line were fired upon by IDF soldiers in a Merkava tank near Sarda.

One ten-round burst of machine-gun fire was fired above the convoy, and four further ten-round bursts were fired nearby.

Peacekeepers asked the IDF to stop firing through UNIFIL’s liaison channels.

Both the peacekeepers and the IDF tank were in Lebanese territory at the time. Fortunately, no one was injured.

The IDF had been informed of the location and timing of the patrol in advance, following usual practice for patrols in sensitive areas near the Blue Line.

Attacks on or near peacekeepers are serious violations of Security Council resolution 1701. In this very sensitive situation, we call on the IDF to cease aggressive behaviour and attacks on or near peacekeepers working to rebuild stability along the Blue Line.