UN Peacekeeper Killed in Southern Lebanon Explosion

A United Nations peacekeeper died and another was critically wounded when an explosive projectile struck their position near a southern Lebanese village on Sunday. The UN mission says they are investigating the source of the projectile that hit their location close to Adchit al-Qusayr.

A United Nations peacekeeper died and another sustained critical injuries when an explosive projectile struck their position close to the southern Lebanese village of Adchit al-Qusayr on Sunday, according to the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.

The UN mission, known as UNIFIL, announced the casualties in a statement released early Monday morning.

“We do not know the origin of the projectile. We have launched an investigation to determine all of the circumstances,” UNIFIL stated.

The peacekeeping force operates in southern Lebanon to oversee tensions along the border with Israel, a region that has become a flashpoint for fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants backed by Iran.

The peacekeeping operation, scheduled to conclude at the end of 2026, has repeatedly found itself caught between Israeli and Hezbollah forces during recent conflicts.

Earlier this month on March 6, Ghana’s military reported that missile strikes targeted the headquarters of its UN peacekeeping unit in Lebanon, critically wounding two soldiers.

Israeli military officials later confirmed their tank artillery had struck a UN facility in southern Lebanon on that date, injuring the Ghanaian peacekeepers.

The Israeli military stated its forces had retaliated against anti-tank missile attacks from Hezbollah that moderately injured two Israeli soldiers.

“Once again, we call on all actors to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times, including by refraining from actions that may put peacekeepers in danger,” UNIFIL said.

Lebanon became involved in the broader Middle Eastern conflict when Hezbollah launched rocket attacks against Israel on March 2 in support of Tehran, following Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran two days earlier. This Hezbollah assault triggered a fresh Israeli military campaign against the organization.