UN force in southern Lebanon says heavy fire continues near its positions

The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon said today that heavy exchanges of fire have continued unabated over the past 24 hours along the length of the line of withdrawal that separates the country from Israel.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reports 31 incidents of firing close to its positions on the so-called Blue Line during the past 24 hours, with three sites suffering direct hits from the Israeli side.

One artillery shell hit the interior of the UNIFIL Headquarters compound in Naqoura, causing extensive damage to its hospital, where doctors were operating at the time, the mission said.

In addition, artillery shells hit the position of the Ghanaian battalion on the coast in Ras Naquora and the patrol base of the observer group in the Marun al Ras area. Extensive material damage, but no casualties, resulted from the incidents, UNIFIL said.

It added that Hizbollah firing was reported from the immediate vicinity of the UN positions in Naqoura and Maroun Al Ras at the time of the incidents.

The mission said that some re-supply convoys to its positions are planned for today, but the ability to move will depend on the situation on the ground. “All UN positions close to the Blue Line are facing shortages of basic supplies, and the need to re-supply them is vital,” it stressed.