One UNIFIL soldier was killed and three others were wounded (December 14) following shooting at a vehicle of the UNIFIL force’s Irish battalion that entered the town of al-Aqabiya in southern Lebanon. This unusual incident was strongly condemned in Lebanon and by international authorities, and the accusing finger was pointed at Hezbollah operatives who were at the scene. The Prime Minister of Lebanon and the commander of the Lebanese army paid a condolence visit to the UNIFIL commander and promised the matter would be investigated.
Immediately after the incident, a senior Hezbollah official was quick to deny the organization's involvement, but once videos began to circulate proving the vehicle had been shot at, it was reported that Hezbollah arrested several of its operatives who were at the scene for questioning.
This incident is not surprising given the known efforts of the organization to prevent UNIFIL from fulfilling its tasks in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1701. This incident reveals the self-confidence and the aggressive approach by the organization's operatives toward the UN troops, but the organization's response also indicates its current sensitivity to criticism of its activity, both internal and international, which harms the interests of the entire Lebanese population. Hezbollah will likely seemingly cooperate with the investigation on the matter, but will persist in its efforts to intimidate UNIFIL soldiers and hinder them from carrying out their missions.
One UNIFIL soldier was killed and three others were wounded (December 14) following shooting at a vehicle of the UNIFIL force’s Irish battalion that entered the town of al-Aqabiya in southern Lebanon. This unusual incident was strongly condemned in Lebanon and by international authorities, and the accusing finger was pointed at Hezbollah operatives who were at the scene. The Prime Minister of Lebanon and the commander of the Lebanese army paid a condolence visit to the UNIFIL commander and promised the matter would be investigated.
Immediately after the incident, a senior Hezbollah official was quick to deny the organization's involvement, but once videos began to circulate proving the vehicle had been shot at, it was reported that Hezbollah arrested several of its operatives who were at the scene for questioning.
This incident is not surprising given the known efforts of the organization to prevent UNIFIL from fulfilling its tasks in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1701. This incident reveals the self-confidence and the aggressive approach by the organization's operatives toward the UN troops, but the organization's response also indicates its current sensitivity to criticism of its activity, both internal and international, which harms the interests of the entire Lebanese population. Hezbollah will likely seemingly cooperate with the investigation on the matter, but will persist in its efforts to intimidate UNIFIL soldiers and hinder them from carrying out their missions.