UN peacekeeper killed in the south
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said one of its peacekeepers was killed in southern Lebanon as fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah escalated during Israel’s invasion of the country.
“A peacekeeper was tragically killed last night when a projectile exploded in a UNIFIL position near Adchit al Qusayr,” the mission said on Monday. “Another was critically injured.”
Indonesia later confirmed that one of its peacekeepers had been killed and three others wounded by “indirect artillery fire”.
UNIFIL said it did not know where the projectile came from and had opened an investigation. “No one should ever lose their life serving the cause of peace,” it said. Not exactly a reassuring line to be forced into writing, but there it is.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged “all to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times”.
UNIFIL has said its positions have been struck more than once since the latest round of fighting began on March 2.
On March 7, three Ghanaian soldiers were wounded by gunfire in a border town in southern Lebanon.
Fighting deepens along the border
The US-Israel war on Iran spread to Lebanon after Iran-aligned Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel, following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war on February 28.
Before that, Hezbollah had not launched attacks on Israel since a ceasefire took effect in November 2024, despite repeated Israeli violations of the agreement.
On Monday, the Israeli military said six of its soldiers were wounded in three separate incidents, including three who were seriously injured.
Israeli officials say the invasion of southern Lebanon is meant to create a security zone extending 30km (18.6 miles) from the Israeli border.
Reporting from Beirut, Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr said the Israeli military has moved beyond “limited incursions” and into a broader ground offensive in southern Lebanon, with the aim of taking territory as far as the Litani River.
“Since last week, Israeli troops have advanced into several areas,” she said, pointing to movement along the western coastal highway and to positions about 8km (4.97 miles) south of Tyre, one of southern Lebanon’s main cities.
“It’s still too early to say who will have the upper hand … but the word control is going to be key,” she said. “What Hezbollah will try to do is prevent the Israeli army from consolidating control, and that will be Hezbollah’s test.”
More strikes on Beirut’s suburbs
A strike also hit the southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday, the first Israeli attack there since Friday. Live footage showed smoke rising from the area.
The attack followed an Israeli military warning of strikes on seven southern suburbs of the capital, including Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, Laylaki, Haddath and Burj al-Barajneh. The army said it was targeting Hezbollah military sites in those neighborhoods, but offered no evidence.
Israeli forces have carried out air and ground attacks across Lebanon while also issuing mass forced displacement orders for residents in the south, including in several Beirut suburbs.
“Many will say there are no military targets left in this area,” Khodr reported. “This is just about collective punishment and putting pressure on Hezbollah.”
The UN says more than 1.2 million people have been forced from their homes since the beginning of March, raising alarm over a growing humanitarian crisis.
