UNIFIL says Israeli drone dropped stun grenade near peacekeepers

UNIFIL peacekeepers said two Israeli drones hovered aggressively above them when they were on a routine patrol near Kafer Kela on Tuesday morning.

One of the drones was carrying an unidentified object and had entered a range that constituted an immediate threat to the safety and security of peacekeepers.

The peacekeepers took defensive action against the threat. The drone then dropped a stun grenade that exploded about fifty meters away from the peacekeepers before flying toward Israeli territory. No one was hurt, and the patrol continued.

UNIFIL said it had informed both the Israeli and Lebanese armies about the activity yesterday, as it does with all activities in sensitive areas near the Blue Line.

In a statement, UNIFIL condemned the use of armed drones as unacceptable, urging the Israeli army to respect the Blue Line, ensure the safety of peacekeepers, and cease attacks on or near them. "Such IDF action is in violation of resolution 1701 and international law and interferes with peacekeepers’ Security Council-mandated tasks and puts efforts to rebuild stability along the Blue Line at risk."