'Israel' accuses UN peacekeepers of downing drone in southern Lebanon

The 'Israeli' military on Monday claimed that UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon shot down one of its drones during an intelligence-gathering mission on Sunday.

"Yesterday, an IDF intelligence-gathering drone was downed in the area of Kfar Kila in southern Lebanon during a routine intelligence-gathering activity in the area," military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said on X.

Shoshani added, "An initial inquiry suggests that UNIFIL forces stationed nearby deliberately fired at the drone and downed it. The drone's activity did not pose a threat to UNIFIL forces."

After the drone was shot down, the 'Israeli' military said it dropped a grenade near the crash site but did not target peacekeepers.

UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, said on Sunday that an 'Israeli' drone flew over its patrol in an "aggressive manner."

"The peacekeepers applied necessary defensive countermeasures to neutralize the drone," UNIFIL said, warning that the incident "shows disregard for safety and security of the peacekeepers implementing Security Council mandated tasks in southern Lebanon."

UNIFIL added that another 'Israeli' drone later approached a patrol near Kfar Kila and dropped a grenade. "Moments later, an Israeli tank fired a shot towards the peacekeepers. Fortunately, no injury or damage was caused to the UNIFIL peacekeepers and assets," the statement said.

The tension comes despite last year’s ceasefire agreement, under which 'Israeli' troops were to withdraw from southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah was to pull back north of the Litani River and dismantle military infrastructure in the south.

According to the truce, only the Lebanese army and UNIFIL are allowed in southern Lebanon. However, 'Israel' maintains troops at five border points it considers strategic and has recently intensified strikes, with several deadly attacks launched over the past few days.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese government, under US pressure, has begun efforts to disarm Hezbollah, a move opposed by the movement and its allies, raising concerns about a potential escalation in the region.