Israel Acknowledges Tank Fire Incident Against UN Peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon
In a significant development, Israel's military has formally acknowledged that its tank fire struck a United Nations position in southern Lebanon on March 6, resulting in injuries to Ghanaian peacekeepers. This admission underscores the growing dangers as Israeli military operations expand in the region, with tensions running high along the volatile border.
UN Inquiry Points to Israeli Involvement in the Attack
Initial findings from an internal United Nations investigation had previously suggested Israel was responsible for the attack, according to a Western military source who spoke to Reuters on Tuesday. The UN peacekeeping mission, known as UNIFIL, is stationed in southern Lebanon to monitor hostilities along the demarcation line with Israel—an area that has become a focal point for clashes between Israeli troops and Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters.
The mission, which is scheduled to conclude at the end of 2026, has increasingly found itself caught in the crossfire between Israel and Hezbollah over the past few years. With Israel considering a broader ground operation, experts warn that the risks to peacekeepers could intensify in the coming weeks.
Israeli Military Statement and Investigation Details
In a statement provided to Reuters, the Israeli military confirmed that its troops were behind the incident. However, they asserted that the action was in response to anti-tank missile fire from Hezbollah, which had moderately wounded two Israeli soldiers. "A comprehensive investigation concluded in recent days determined that the fire that hit the UNIFIL personnel was mistakenly carried out by the IDF troops that misidentified the UNIFIL troops as the source of the anti-tank fire moments earlier," the statement read.
The Israeli Defense Forces expressed regret over the incident and conveyed apologies through 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 military added.
UNIFIL's Preliminary Findings and Munitions Analysis
According to the Western source, preliminary conclusions from UNIFIL’s investigation, led by the Force Commander Reserve with support from explosive ordnance disposal specialists, indicated that three strikes at the al-Qawzah base were direct hits from the main gun of an Israeli battle tank. The source specified that the strikes involved 120-mm M339 HE-MP-T shells, which are manufactured by Israel Military Industries (IMI).
"Israeli involvement in the attack against UNIFIL is undeniable, given that these munitions are manufactured by Israel Military Industries (IMI)," the source emphasized. The findings of UNIFIL's probe had not been previously reported, adding a layer of urgency to the situation.
UNIFIL's Response and International Law Concerns
UNIFIL had initially stated on March 6 that Ghanaian peacekeepers were wounded amid heavy firing and described the incident as "unacceptable," though it did not assign blame at the time. UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel noted that the investigation is ongoing. "That investigation is not yet complete. Once it is finalized, it will be shared with the parties, per usual practice," she said.
Ardiel reiterated 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 stressed, referring to the UN Security Council resolution that mandates peacekeeping operations in the area.
Escalating Tensions and Broader Implications
The incident occurred as Lebanon has been drawn into the broader Middle East conflict, with Hezbollah firing rockets at Israel and igniting a new Israeli offensive against the group. The Western source highlighted that the shots were fired within a five-minute window, indicating repeated fire rather than a single stray round. Given that the base’s location and coordinates were well known to all parties operating in the area, this raises serious concerns over the safety of UN personnel.
Three Ghanaian soldiers were wounded in the attack, according to the Ghanaian army. "This escalation, far from being isolated, is part of a worrying dynamic, severely testing UNIFIL’s ability to carry out its peacekeeping mission," the source warned.
Background on Israeli Operations and UN Mandate
The Israeli military occupies five posts within Lebanon and, despite a ceasefire last year, has frequently carried out airstrikes in the country's south, targeting what it claims are Iran-backed militant groups like Hezbollah. UN Security Council Resolution 1701 explicitly states that no armed forces should operate in southern Lebanon except for UN peacekeepers and the Lebanese military.
Israel has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of attempting to rearm and criticized the Lebanese armed forces for failing to disarm the group. In a related development, UNIFIL reported on Sunday that another group of peacekeepers were likely fired upon earlier that day in three separate incidents in southern Lebanon, "likely by non-state armed groups." Fortunately, no peacekeepers were injured in those instances.
The M339 HE-MP-T round used in the attack is versatile, capable of anti-personnel, anti-helicopter, anti-materiel, anti-armour, and anti-structure roles, further highlighting the severity of the incident. As tensions continue to simmer, the ability of UNIFIL to effectively carry out its mission remains under intense scrutiny, with calls for all parties to adhere to international laws and ensure the protection of peacekeepers on the ground.
