The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has strongly condemned an attack on its base in southern Lebanon that left three Ghanaian peacekeeping soldiers injured during heavy exchanges of fire in the volatile border region.

In a series of statements posted on X, the UN peacekeeping mission said the incident occurred on Friday evening when intense shelling and air strikes struck near a UNIFIL position in Al Qawzah in southwestern Lebanon.

“Amidst heavy firing this evening, three peacekeepers were injured inside their base in Al Qawzah, southwestern Lebanon,” UNIFIL said.

The mission added that the most severely injured peacekeeper has been transferred to a hospital in Beirut for treatment, while the two others are currently receiving medical care at a UNIFIL medical facility.

A fire that broke out inside the base during the attack was later brought under control.

UN condemns attack on peacekeepers

UNIFIL condemned the incident, stressing that peacekeepers operating under an international mandate must never be targeted.

“It is unacceptable that peacekeepers performing Security Council-mandated tasks are targeted,” the mission said.

The UN force also warned that such attacks may violate international humanitarian law and could potentially constitute a war crime.

“Any attack on UNIFIL peacekeepers constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of the Security Council Resolution 1701 and may amount to a war crime,” the statement added.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which followed the 2006 Lebanon War, established the framework for maintaining peace along the Israel-Lebanon border and forms the legal basis for the deployment of UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon.

Investigation underway

UNIFIL said it has begun an investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the attack and has not yet identified the source of the fire.

“The UNIFIL will investigate the circumstances of this terrible event,” the mission stated.

The attack occurred amid renewed cross-border hostilities between Israel and armed groups in southern Lebanon, particularly the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, which has been involved in frequent exchanges of fire with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) since tensions escalated in the region.

Ghanaian troops in UN mission

Ghana has long been one of the most consistent contributors to UN peacekeeping missions and currently deploys hundreds of troops under the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon.

The Ghanaian contingent plays a key role in monitoring the “Blue Line,” the UN-demarcated boundary between Lebanon and Israel, conducting patrols, supporting humanitarian efforts and helping maintain stability in communities affected by recurring hostilities.

The latest attack underscores the growing risks faced by UN peacekeepers as fighting intensifies across parts of the Middle East.

UNIFIL has repeatedly called on all parties in the conflict to respect international law and ensure the safety of peacekeepers and civilian infrastructure, warning that continued attacks threaten to further destabilise an already fragile region.