By Charles Pemu 
The Israeli military on Monday lodged a formal accusation against UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, alleging that UNIFIL forces deliberately shot down one of its intelligence-gathering drones on Sunday. The incident, near the town of Kfar Kila, has escalated tensions in an area governed by a fragile ceasefire.
Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani stated on social media that an initial inquiry suggests UNIFIL forces stationed nearby intentionally fired at the unarmed UAV during a routine intelligence operation. The IDF asserted that the drone’s activities posed no threat to the peacekeepers.
UNIFIL Claims ‘Defensive Countermeasures’
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) immediately countered the Israeli narrative, claiming the drone flew over its patrol in an “aggressive manner,” necessitating the use of “defensive countermeasures to neutralise the drone.” UNIFIL viewed the act as a grave “disregard for safety and security” of peacekeepers implementing their Security Council mandated tasks.
Furthermore, UNIFIL alleged a subsequent escalation by Israeli forces. After the drone was downed, the Israeli military confirmed it dropped a grenade toward the impact zone. UNIFIL, however, reported a second Israeli drone came close to its patrol and dropped a grenade, followed moments later by an Israeli tank firing a shot toward their position. Fortunately, no UNIFIL personnel or assets were injured or damaged.
Ceasefire Violations Undermine Stability
The confrontation underscores the persistent violations of the ceasefire agreement, which mandated the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon and the dismantling of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure north of the Litani River. Under the truce, only the Lebanese army and UNIFIL are authorized to be deployed in the south.
Despite the terms, Israel retains troops in five strategic border points, and has intensified strikes in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the Lebanese government, under US pressure, is facing internal opposition from Hezbollah and its allies as it moves to begin disarming the militant movement, further complicating the already volatile security landscape.