Deputy spokesman for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, revealed that three drones fell yesterday near one of the headquarters of the UNIFIL forces in the town of Naqoura in southern Lebanon, in an incident that reflects the extent of the escalating tension on the southern Lebanese border.
The UN official explained that the site near which the drones fell was also where Israeli soldiers were present, without providing additional details about the nature of the incident or the party that launched the drones.
This development comes at a time when the southern front is witnessing accelerating field escalation, with the increasing use of drones in mutual military operations between Hezbollah and the Israeli army.
During the past hours, several areas on the Lebanese-Israeli border witnessed intense drone flights and aerial interceptions, coinciding with the sounding of sirens in a number of northern Israeli settlements.
The fall of the drones near UNIFIL forces’ positions raises fears of a widening escalation and a threat to the safety of international forces operating in southern Lebanon in accordance with Resolution 1701.
This incident also comes amid repeated UN and international warnings of the danger of continuing tension on the southern border, in light of fears that the situation will slide towards a broader confrontation that may threaten the entire regional stability.
For months, UNIFIL forces have been monitoring field developments on a daily basis, in coordination with the Lebanese Army and concerned parties, in an attempt to maintain stability and prevent the escalation of confrontations in the area of operations in southern Lebanon.
