UNIFIL Says Drone Incidents Endanger Peacekeepers in Lebanon

May 14, 2026

Beirut: The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has raised concerns over a series of drone incidents near and inside its positions in southern Lebanon, warning that the explosions endangered peacekeepers and damaged UN facilities.

According to a UNIFIL statement issued Wednesday, several presumed Hezbollah drones exploded on Monday and Tuesday near the mission’s headquarters in the southern town of Naqoura, where Israeli soldiers were believed to be operating nearby.

Three drones reportedly detonated within meters of the headquarters between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. local time on Monday. Another explosion occurred in the same area on Tuesday evening, followed minutes later by a separate drone blast inside the UN compound that damaged several buildings. No injuries were reported.

UNIFIL Raises Concerns Over Escalating Activity

UNIFIL said it was increasingly alarmed by the presence and activities of both Hezbollah members and Israeli forces near UN positions in southern Lebanon.

The peacekeeping mission stated that it had formally protested the movement of Israeli troops and military vehicles near its headquarters, while also expressing concern over armed non-state actors operating close to UN installations.

The incidents have intensified fears over the safety of peacekeepers stationed in the volatile border region.

Israeli Military Continues Operations in Lebanon

The developments came as Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said Israel’s multi-front military campaign across the Middle East “is not over.”

Speaking about Lebanon, Zamir confirmed that Israeli troops were continuing operations in the Litani River region after the military announced it had established operational control in parts of the area.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported that at least eight people, including two children, were killed in three Israeli airstrikes targeting vehicles along the Jiyeh-Saadiyat highway in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli military said it had struck more than 40 Hezbollah infrastructure sites, including weapon storage facilities and military structures, over the past 24 hours.

Ceasefire Under Growing Strain

The escalation comes despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon that took effect in April following weeks of cross-border fighting linked to broader regional tensions involving Iran.

UN officials continue to urge restraint as concerns grow over rising instability and the safety of international peacekeeping personnel in southern Lebanon.