As clashes between Israel and the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah continued in southern Lebanon, an explosion at a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) base on April 3 (local time) wounded three peacekeepers.
UNIFIL spokesperson Kandis Ardiel said in a statement that an explosion occurred inside the UN base this afternoon, injuring three personnel. Two of the wounded are in serious condition. Responders were rushing the injured to hospitals, and the exact cause of the blast remains under investigation, she said.
Ardiel urged all parties to refrain from combat actions that could endanger peacekeepers and reminded them of their obligation to ensure the safety and security of the force.
This is the third incident in recent days in which UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have been killed or wounded.
On March 29, a projectile exploded near a post close to Adchit al-Qusayr, killing one Indonesian peacekeeper. The following day, a mysterious blast near Bani Hayyan killed two more Indonesian personnel.
UN sources pointed to Israeli shelling as the cause of the March 30 attack, but the Israeli military denied responsibility, saying its investigation found no evidence that it had placed explosives in the area.
UNIFIL was established in 1978 to monitor Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon and has long served as a buffer between the two countries.
UNIFIL's mandate is scheduled to expire at the end of this year.
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Kim Sun-hong (redsun@yna.co.kr)
