UNIFIL reports direct fire by Israel near peacekeeping post
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said that direct fire from the Israeli army had hit the perimeter of one of its peacekeeping positions in south Lebanon.
In a statement, UNIFIL said the incident yesterday was the first of its kind since Israel and Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire last November.
UNIFIL sits on the international committee created to supervise the ceasefire agreement that kicked in on 27 November and ended more than two months of all-out war between Israel and the pro-Iranian militant group.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on the incident, in which UNIFIL said one of its bases in the village of Kfar Shouba in southern Lebanon was hit.
"In recent days, UNIFIL has also observed other aggressive behaviour by the IDF (Israeli military) towards peacekeepers performing operational activities in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1701," it said, referring to a UN resolution originally adopted in 2006 to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
Yesterday's incident occurred near the Blue Line, a UN-mapped demarcation separating Lebanon from Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Any unauthorised crossing of the Blue Line by land or by air from any side constitutes a violation of Security Council Resolution 1701.
UNIFIL cited other alleged incidents it blamed on the Israeli army, including being targeted by lasers while it was performing a patrol with the Lebanese army in the southern border town of Maroun al-Ras.
Israel has continued to occasionally strike areas in south Lebanon, saying that it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.
UNIFIL is concerned by the recent aggressive posture of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) involving UNIFIL personnel and assets near the Blue Line, including yesterday's incident in which a direct fire hit the perimeter of a UNIFIL position south of the village of Kfar Shouba.
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) May 14, 2025
It has also struck the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut several times.
The ceasefire terms require that neither Hezbollah nor any other armed group have weapons in areas near the border south of the Litani river, which flows into the Mediterranean some 20km north of the Israeli border.
They require Israel to withdraw troops from the south and that the Lebanese army deploy into the border region.
Israel has largely completed its withdrawal, though it insisted on keeping its forces at five points inside Lebanon that it considers strategic and has repeatedly launched strikes inside the country.
Lebanon and Israel have accused each other of failing to fully implement the deal. Israel still has troops on five hilltop positions in the south.
Rockets have been fired from Lebanon towards Israel twice, though Hezbollah denied any role.
Israel killed thousands of Hezbollah fighters in the war, destroyed much of its arsenal and eliminated its top leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah.
The war spiralled after Hezbollah opened fire at the beginning of the Gaza war, declaring solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas.
At the height of the fighting last October, the peacekeeping force accused Israel of having hit its positions or peacekeepers at least 20 times.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Chilean club with link to Celtic fans offer hope against horrors in Gaza
JOSÉ Nabzo turns his laptop around. The view switches from a small club office to the empty stands of the Estadio Municipal de La Cisterna near Santiago and the Andes Mountains. 'Now it's very quiet, it's Monday, but on match day the Palestinian flags are everywhere, people eating shawarma and falafel, it's noisy,' says Nabzo. 'It's about the message. Solidarity and peace. 'We don't want to enter into politics, religion… we don't speak about that. This club just speaks about solidarity with Palestinian people and about peace.' Nabzo is the communications officer for Club Deportivo Palestino, one of the leading teams in Chilean top flight football. In the past they have been coached by the likes of former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini and Fernando Riera, the godfather of Chilean football who led the country to third place at the 1962 World Cup. But it's the club's links to Palestine that have brought them to international prominence in recent years and even prompted a link-up with Celtic fans. 'To work here is a dream. I have Palestinian origins on both sides — grandfather and grandmother,' says Nabzo. 'Palestino have been an ambassador for Palestinians in Chile for a long time, but now it's not just in Chile, it's the world.' He shows a photo of children queuing for food in Gaza. 'A photo journalist for Al Jazeera sent me the picture,' he says. 'One of the kids is wearing a Palestino jersey. 'I sent that photo to all workers and players and directors of this club. I said them, 'Look, this is Palestino.' 'The Palestine national team is very important, but we feel like another national team for Palestine.' Conflict in Gaza has changed everything at the club. On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants entered Israel from Gaza, killing over 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. Since then, Israeli forces have killed in excess of 56,000 Palestinians — more than half of them women and children. Gaza has been obliterated, with buildings and infrastructure destroyed and civilian areas regularly hit by missile strikes. Nearly all of the area's two million-plus population have been displaced. 'From October 2023, the club changed,' says Nabzo. 'In the past we are sending messages, putting the map of Palestine on the jersey, we are close to Palestine. 'But from this moment in October 2023, the club changed and the link with Palestine changed.' No international journalists have been allowed to enter Gaza for 20 months and more than 200 local journalists and media workers have been killed by Israeli military attacks. The details that have emerged are beyond bleak. Last month, a leading Red Cross official described conditions as 'worse than hell on earth' and limited aid has led to starvation amid the debris. Reaching that aid has also become increasingly more and more dangerous. On Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that Israeli forces opened fire towards hundreds of Palestinians waiting for aid trucks, killing 25 and wounding another 146. There were 44 people killed in total in two separate incidents. Palestino, a football club 13,000kms away in Chile, have become a symbol of hope for Palestinians. 'When the Palestine national team played a World Cup qualifier in Kuwait, we saw pictures of many fans with Palestino jerseys,' he says. 'The club has three academies in Palestine. One is in Gaza and is obviously not working now. Two in Ramallah are working and that is very good news. 'It's important for kids to change their reality.' Chile has the biggest Palestinian community outside of the Arab world and the Santiago club was founded in 1920 by Palestinian immigrants. 'It's very important that date because it's 28 years before the creation of the state of Israel,' he says. 'Club Deportivo Palestino is a good point in history to say, okay Palestinian identity existed previously. 'These Palestinian immigrants in Chile created this club with the objective to conserve and keep the tradition and culture and to be a house of Palestinians in Chile.' The club turned professional in 1952 and won the Chilean men's Primera Division in 1955 and 1978. Nabzo's father was a director of the club in the past and witnessed the emergence of Pellegrini as a coach during his time at the club before he went on to manage the likes of City and Real Madrid. Palestino made headlines in 2014 for a jersey that featured the map of Palestine before the creation of the state of Israel in the design. The club were fined and the jersey was eventually banned. More recently, the club adopted a green and white hooped shirt for their third kit as a tribute to Celtic's Green Brigade supporters' group. 'Green Brigade make a lot of actions to show solidarity with Palestine,' he says. 'And they don't do it in a small Scottish Cup match, they do it in the Champions League against the biggest names, the biggest teams. 'In very important matches they give a strong message: 'Stop the genocide'. 'As a way of showing we are grateful, the club contacted the Green Brigade and made the jersey with the colours and design of Celtic. 'On the back, they have the slogan of Palestino: 'More than a team, a whole people'. 'We're happy to see that jersey in a lot of protests and a lot of countries, in different stadiums, in different continents.' This season the Palestino men's team have been competing in the Copa Sudamericana — South America's equivalent of the Europa League — and last season featured in the Copa Libertadores — the equivalent of the Champions League. They currently lie third in Chile's Primera Division, while the women's team are in eighth. Men's coach Lucas Bovaglio regularly wears a keffiyeh during matches and the Estadio Municipal de La Cisterna has become a place for fans to show solidarity with those suffering in Gaza. The club have two players of Palestinian origin in the first teams — Alejandro Hales in the men's team and Rania Sansur for the women's team. Nabzo is confident for the remainder of the season on the pitch. But what's happening off it has become just as important now. 'Rania also plays for the Palestinian national team,' he says. 'She travels from Chile to Jordan each FIFA date. It's very hard for her, but very beautiful for Rania and for us. 'We are Palestino, a club founded by and for Palestinian immigrants and we have a player in the national team of Palestine. 'It's a connection. It's very important.' Right now, more than ever.
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Iran condemns Trump's 'disrespectful and unacceptable' comments on Khamenei
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned Saturday the "disrespectful and unacceptable" comments from Donald Trump, after the US president claimed to have saved Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from an "ugly and ignominious death". "If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran's Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and stop hurting his millions of heartfelt supporters," Mr Araghchi posted on his account on social media platform X. "The Great and Powerful Iranian People, who showed the world that the Israeli regime had NO CHOICE but to RUN to 'Daddy' to avoid being flattened by our Missiles, do not take kindly to Threats and Insults," the foreign minister said. The United States carried out strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites last weekend, with no consensus as to how effective they were. With those strikes, Washington joined Israel's bombardments of Iran's nuclear programme in the 12-day conflict launched on 13 June. The foreign minister's condemnation on Saturday came after Mr Trump said on his Truth Social platform that he had saved the Iranian leader from assassination, accusing Khamenei of ingratitude. "I knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel, or the U.S. Armed Forces, by far the Greatest and Most Powerful in the World, terminate his life," Mr Trump posted. "I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH, and he does not have to say, 'THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!'" Mr Trump also said that he had been working in recent days on the possible removal of sanctions against Iran, one of Tehran's main demands. "But no, instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more," Mr Trump added, exhorting Iran to return to the negotiating table. Iran has denied it is set to resume nuclear talks with the United States, after Mr Trump said that negotiations would begin again next week.
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Fueling frustration: Why Irish petrol prices stay high, even when oil doesn't
Donald Trump, as he so often does, opted for all capital letters for this post on Truth Social earlier this week. 'EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN,' he said. 'I'M WATCHING! YOU'RE PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. DON'T DO IT!' Like he told major retailer Walmart to 'eat the tariffs' he has imposed, the US president was telling oil markets to eat the instability he had directly contributed to in the Middle East with a direct attack on one of the biggest producers of oil in the world. As much as he appears to desire the power to dictate such terms, how much we all pay at the petrol pumps is not at the whim of Donald Trump. So far, however, prices appear to be singing to his tune somewhat, if not for the reasons he may think so, that is, himself. Here in Ireland, it was only three years ago that we saw geopolitical forces brought to bear as Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine saw prices for everything skyrocket, including for petrol and diesel. While the impacts on us pale into comparison when compared to the Ukrainian people, Russia's actions did precipitate a cost-of-living crisis charities say is still biting to this day. But, despite bombs falling in Tehran, Tel Aviv and Doha in recent weeks, the oil markets so far — and this must be stressed, so far — have not reacted like they did back in 2022. Back then, there was a 'perfect storm' of Russia being such a big supplier, coupled with a relative shortage of oil supply coming out of the pandemic, according to transport commentator Conor Faughnan. This time, due to tariff threats and concerns about the global economy, as well as additional supply in the market at the moment, oil prices had been expected to trend down in the second half of this year prior to the recent Israel-Iran hostilities. 'It's been notable to observe when we had the Russian invasion in 2022, there was a very strong and prolonged reaction in world oil prices,' Mr Faughnan said. 'They went up and stayed high. That's different from the current crisis. Conor Faughnan: 'About 55%-60% of the money you pay at the pump goes directly to the Government in taxes. The oil price component is surprisingly small.' 'There hasn't as yet been the sort of extreme reaction we might have expected to see. Over the years, there's been a very serious set of circumstances, there's been multiple geopolitical shocks to the oil price. Often, they'll cause turbulence on a two-to-three day basis. When Russia invaded, we had a sustained effect. This time around, it's different. Mr Faughnan said it was more a case of the markets having 'bated breath', or there being a 'pregnant pause' while they waited to see how events would play out in the Middle East conflict. On Tuesday, oil prices hit their lowest in two weeks after Trump claimed there had been a 'total ceasefire' agreed between Israel and Iran. But, as we know, the bombing did not fully stop there. Later in the week, JP Morgan analysts said global energy prices were 'moderating' following the ceasefire. However, the lobby group for fuel retailers said that prices were already coming from a high base. Fuels for Ireland chief executive Kevin McPartland said even prior to US strikes on Iran, wholesale prices had already surged by nine cent per litre for petrol, eight cent for diesel and seven cent for kerosene. And this is before tax and retailer margin is applied. 'We fully understand the pressure that rising fuel costs put on households and businesses, particularly as we move through a cost-of-living crisis,' Mr McPartland said. These are global effects being felt locally. Fuel retailers in Ireland are not setting prices arbitrarily. They are responding to international costs that are outside their control. One factor that could send the price ballooning even higher is Iran's actions at the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. About a fifth of the world's oil passes through this area, which has Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south. Iran has in the past threatened to close the strait, which would restrict trade and affect global oil prices, but has never followed through on the threat. Mr Faughnan said a shock to the world oil price is 'possible if the situation worsens, or the Strait of Hormuz is involved'. 'It hasn't happened yet,' he said. 'If it does hit, we'll reassess. What's remarkable to note is that post-Israeli attacks on Iran last week, the global oil market was, relaxed is the wrong word, but it wasn't the extreme reaction we might have expected.' Petrol and diesel prices in Ireland Then again, Irish consumers will not need to experience another geopolitical shock to see the cost of filling the car be unwelcomingly high. They have been paying high prices at the pumps for some time. While the cost of a litre of petrol has fallen from its peak of more than €2 in the summer of 2022, it still remains stubbornly high at arobout €1.79, according to figures from AA Ireland. Its figures suggest prices have fluctuated wildly, ranging between €1.50 and close to €1.90 a litre for both diesel and petrol in recent years. Even going further back, and the price at the pumps has been high. Heading into 2020, prices going back five years had been in the range of between €1.20 and €1.50 a litre. If we were to factor in general inflation since then, using data from the Central Statistics Office, it has reached over 25% in that time. So, the €1.31 you spent for a litre of petrol in January 2015 translates to about €1.64 now. While fuel inflation is higher than this, they're in the same ball park. In other words, the prices were high enough then and even higher now. For its part, an AA spokesperson said: 'Any volatility in international markets inevitably can affect wholesale costs and, ultimately, prices at the pump. If tensions escalate or shipping routes are disrupted, it could lead to price increases for Irish consumers. We've already seen some fluctuations this year, and continued instability could keep upward pressure on prices in the months ahead. Mr Faughnan said an increase in the cost of oil would also lead to consumers paying more Vat on the cost of filling the car, as it is calculated as a percentage of the cost. Government taxes 'About 55%-60% of the money you pay at the pump goes directly to the Government in taxes,' he said. 'The oil price component is surprisingly small. You've the oil price, refinery cost, shipping cost, wholesale margin, retail margin. On top of that then the price is doubled. 'A big move in the oil price translates to a more modest move at the pump price.' Mr McPartland, whose organisation represents fuel retailers, said when fuel prices go up the tax on them goes up too, which he said warranted a 'comprehensive review of how fuel for heating and transport is taxed'. 'We are calling on the minister for finance to establish a group of experts to undertake this review as a matter of urgency,' he said. We've been here before. To help mitigate cost-of-living rises, the Government temporarily reduced excise rates on fuel at a 'significant cost to the exchequer', according to officials from the Department of Finance. It said last year this measure had effectively been a fossil fuel subsidy and was a 'climate negative measure'. It appears any measures to ease the taxes paid at the petrol pumps remain unlikely. On carbon taxes — which make up about 13c-14c of the €1.79 litre of petrol — finance minister Paschal Donohoe told the Dáil that if 'we want to invest more in a greener and lower carbon future, we need to have a way of paying for it'. At the same time, in terms of an alternative, take-up of electric vehicles is accelerating but not yet at the kind of critical mass needed to significantly reduce our transport emissions. Just last week, the Climate Change Advisory Council said new EV grants of €10,000 should be given to the lower-paid to encourage them to make the switch. 'The benefits and savings from existing policies and measures are not keeping pace with the causes of increased emissions, including increasing transport demand in terms of fuel sales and vehicle kilometres, and corrective action is needed in the sector,' it said. CSO data tells us despite 16% of new car sales so far this year being EVs, with similar market shares for plug-in hybrids, a further 44% were for petrol and diesel cars. For now, the reliance on the petrol and diesel car remains strong in Ireland. And while it does, so too will we be reliant on factors outside of our control. Read More Fuel prices rise again putting further pressure on motorists, AA warns
