Israeli forces targeted three positions used by U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon this week, with strikes on two positions on Thursday and one on Wednesday, according to the U.N. Israel has also cautioned Lebanese civilians against returning to homes in the south, as its military continues its campaign against Hezbollah. Two peacekeepers were injured in one of the incidents when an Israeli tank shell struck a watchtower at the U.N. headquarters in Naqoura, causing the structure to collapse. The other incidents did not result in casualties, according to a U.N. source.

In response, the U.N. peacekeeping force UNIFIL condemned the attack, stating that any deliberate targeting of peacekeepers is a serious breach of international humanitarian law. The force is in discussions with the Israeli military to address the situation, though Israel has yet to issue a formal response. Israel’s ongoing offensive is part of a larger campaign against Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. The conflict began when Hezbollah fired in support of Hamas at the onset of the Gaza war one year ago, and tensions have sharply escalated in recent weeks.

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, indicated that diplomatic efforts involving the U.S. and France are under way to revive a ceasefire, following Israel’s rejection of a truce last month. So far, neither Washington nor Paris has commented on these efforts. Meanwhile, the Middle East remains tense, with heightened fears of further escalation, particularly after an Iranian missile strike last week. Gulf states are urging the U.S. to prevent Israeli strikes on Iran’s oil facilities, fearing retaliatory attacks on their own oil assets by Iranian allies.

In a separate incident, the Lebanese health ministry reported that an Israeli air strike overnight targeted a civil defence centre in Derdghaiya, a village near the border, killing five rescue workers. Israeli forces have delivered significant blows to Hezbollah, including the assassination of its leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, though the group continues its rocket attacks. Hezbollah has launched around 40 projectiles into northern Israel, with some intercepted and others landing in the upper Galilee. U.S. President Joe Biden has urged Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to limit civilian casualties in Lebanon, emphasising this during a recent phone call.