Israeli Army Detains UN Peacekeeper in Lebanon

Beirut (ANTARA) - The Israeli army halted a convoy of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and detained a peacekeeper, the UN mission stated on Tuesday (7/4).

“Earlier this evening, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) detained a UNIFIL peacekeeper after blocking a logistics convoy,” UNIFIL said in its statement.

“Following direct and immediate contact by the Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNIFIL and the Liaison Branch, the peacekeeper was released within less than one hour,” the UN mission added.

UNIFIL stated that the detention of the UN peacekeeper constitutes a grave violation of international law.

Any interference with the activities of peacekeeping forces also constitutes a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, it said.

Since the escalation of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel on 2 March, UNIFIL command has reported at least three peacekeepers killed in southern Lebanon due to Israeli attacks. Several others have also been injured.