On Monday, 17 May at around 11:30 pm, UNIFIL detected firing of rockets from the general area of Rashaya Al Foukhar north of Kfar Chouba, in south Lebanon. Immediately after we were also informed by the parties.

The Israel Defense Forces returned artillery fire directed at the location from where the rockets had originated. 

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col was immediately in contact with counterparts in the Lebanese Armed Forces and Israel Defense Forces commands urging the parties to exercise maximum restraint in order to prevent any escalation of the situation. The Israel Defense Forces has now stopped the fire.

UNIFIL in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces is enhancing security control in the area and has intensified patrols to prevent any further incidents that endanger the safety of the local population and the security of southern Lebanon. 

UNIFIL is supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces in the search operation in the area.

UNIFIL Head of Mission remains in contact with the parties to ensure stability in the area and decrease the existing tension.

The situation in the area is now calm.