UNIFIL shoots down Israeli drone in southern Lebanon Citing violation of sovereignty

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed that one of its patrols shot down an Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) drone on October 26 near the village of Kafr Kila, close to the Lebanese-Israeli border.

According to UNIFIL, the drone was neutralised after it flew in a threatening manner over a peacekeeping patrol, Caliber.Az reports.

“This followed an earlier incident in the same location in which an Israeli drone flew over the UNIFIL patrol in an aggressive manner,” the mission said in a statement.

“The peacekeepers applied necessary defensive countermeasures to neutralise the drone.”

UNIFIL strongly condemned the incident, saying that such actions by the Israeli military “are in violation of Security Council resolution 1701 and Lebanon’s sovereignty.” The mission added that the overflights “show disregard for the safety and security of the peacekeepers implementing Security Council-mandated tasks in southern Lebanon.”

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted unanimously on August 11, 2006, aimed to end the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah and establish a framework for long-term peace and stability in southern Lebanon.

The resolution called for a full cessation of hostilities, the immediate cessation of all offensive military operations by Israel and Hezbollah, and the deployment of 15,000 Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) troops in southern Lebanon, with support from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

It also emphasised the importance of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, reiterating support for the full respect of the Blue Line and the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon.

Despite these provisions, the implementation of Resolution 1701 has faced challenges. Hezbollah has maintained an armed presence south of the Litani River, and Israel has not fully withdrawn from certain areas, such as the Shebaa Farms. These ongoing issues have led to tensions and violations of Lebanon's sovereignty, as both Hezbollah and Israeli forces continue to operate in the region.

By Aghakazim Guliyev