The attack took place outside Rmeich in southern Lebanon, near the border with Israel.
– We can confirm that a Norwegian UN observer is slightly injured and in hospital in connection with an attack in Lebanon. The person concerned is well looked after and has informed his next of kin himself. The circumstances surrounding the attack are unclear, says Defense Forces spokesperson Hanne Olafsen.
According to the UN peacekeeping force in South Lebanon (UNIFIL), the four observers from the UN Observer Corps in the Middle East (UNTSO) were out on foot patrol when a grenade exploded close to them.
The nationalities of the other two observers have not been confirmed, but according to the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV channel, they come from Australia and Chile. The interpreter was Lebanese.
Unacceptable
Unifil calls such attacks against UN personnel “unacceptable”.
– According to international law, all actors have a responsibility to protect non-combatants, including peacekeeping personnel, journalists, health personnel and civilians, says an announcement from Unifil.
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Two security sources in the area tell Reuters that the observers were hit in an Israeli drone attack, but this has not been confirmed.
Israel refuses
According to Lebanese media, the attack took place in the village of Wadi Katmoun, near the border town of Rmeich.
Israel denies that they were behind the attack.
– Contrary to the reports, it was not Israel that attacked, says an announcement.
Unarmed
Norway has participated with observers in Untso since 1956.
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The observers work closely with the UNIFIL force in southern Lebanon, but the observers are unarmed.
According to the Norwegian Armed Forces, 13 Norwegian officers are currently serving in Untso. Two of them are stationed at Untso’s headquarters in Jerusalem, while the others are stationed in Lebanon, Syria and Israel.
Soldiers in the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) on the border with Israel. Photo: AP / NTB
Droneangrep
On Friday, Israel carried out a drone attack against a car near Tire in southern Lebanon.
According to the Israeli army, the deputy head of the Hezbollah militia’s rocket unit, Ali Abdel Hassan Naim, was killed in that attack.
Around 270 Hezbollah members and 50 civilians, including children, health personnel and journalists, killed in Israeli attacks against southern Lebanon since October.
The UNIFIL force and the Lebanese government army have also been the subject of Israeli attacks.
2024-03-30 11:15:48
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