Tensions rose sharply on Wednesday in the southern town of Yater following a confrontation between UNIFIL peacekeepers and local residents, prompting the intervention of the Lebanese Army and raising concerns over the fragile security dynamics near the Israeli border.
According to Al Jadeed, the incident began when UNIFIL troops attempted to enter Yater, located just north of the border with Israel. Residents reportedly blocked the convoy’s passage, prompting the soldiers to take an alternate route into the village – a maneuver that triggered a direct confrontation.
Eyewitnesses reported that when UNIFIL troops tried to access the area, local residents attempted to block them. The peacekeepers then entered Yater using a different route, which led to the clash. The Lebanese Army attempted to negotiate with UNIFIL to convince them to withdraw, but the mission refused to leave, leading the army to call in reinforcements.
The peacekeepers had reportedly positioned themselves opposite the Israeli military post of Ramya – a highly sensitive location, further heightening tensions.
This type of incident is not new. Similar frictions have been reported in recent months in southern Lebanon, particularly in areas seen as strategic Hezbollah strongholds. Observers note that such confrontations are often used to reinforce the group's local influence.
Wednesday’s escalation came a day after the reported assassination of a suspected Hezbollah member in Yater, an event believed to have further inflamed tensions.
The Israeli military confirmed that it carried out a targeted strike in southern Lebanon, killing a Hezbollah commander responsible for the “Yater complex,” according to army spokesperson Avichay Adraee.
“Yesterday, the Israel Defense Forces struck in southern Lebanon and eliminated the commander of the Yater complex in the terrorist Hezbollah organization,” Adraee said Wednesday on X.
According to him, the operative had directed several attacks against Israeli forces since the beginning of the conflict. “In recent days, he attempted to rebuild the complex, which constituted a violation of existing agreements,” he added.
UNIFIL Denies Escalation, Urges Respect for Its Mandate
UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti stated on Wednesday that a peacekeeping patrol was briefly stopped in the morning by a group of civilians in Yater while conducting a scheduled mission coordinated with the Lebanese Army.
Tenenti emphasized that the situation remained calm and that the soldiers were able to resume their mission after about half an hour. He denied media reports claiming that UNIFIL troops had drawn their weapons during the incident.
“Any obstruction of UNIFIL’s activities is unacceptable and constitutes a violation of Lebanon’s international obligations, including UN Security Council Resolution 1701,” he said. Tenenti also reminded that the presence of UN peacekeepers in the south of the country is at the request of the Lebanese government, under the mandate of the UN Security Council and in close coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces.
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