HIGHMILITARY

Israeli shells hit UNIFIL Nepalese battalion HQ in Mays al-Jabal — UN peacekeepers under fire

2026-03-13 · 20:00 UTC·Mays al-Jabal, southern Lebanon

Israeli artillery shells fell inside the headquarters of the UNIFIL Nepalese battalion in Mays al-Jabal, Lebanon on March 13, per Lebanon NNA/AFP. The shelling of a UN peacekeeping base is a major escalation. UNIFIL operates under UNSC Resolution 1701. Ghanaian UNIFIL peacekeepers were also wounded by missile fire earlier in the war. Multiple incidents raise pressure on troop-contributing nations and risk a Security Council emergency session.

Israeli shells fell inside the headquarters of the UNIFIL Nepalese battalion in the southern Lebanese town of Mays al-Jabal on March 13, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported, as cited by AFP. UNIFIL — the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon — has been deployed in southern Lebanon since 1978, comprising around 10,000 troops from 48 nations including Nepal, Ghana, Italy, France, and Spain. The force operates under UN Security Council Resolution 1701. This is not the first UNIFIL incident of the war. Ghanaian peacekeepers were wounded by missile fire in an earlier incident. Multiple hits on UN positions create serious diplomatic exposure: troop-contributing nations may demand withdrawal, and any fatalities would trigger an emergency Security Council session. Israel has previously denied intentionally targeting UNIFIL. Mays al-Jabal is a border town in southern Lebanon where Hezbollah maintains significant military infrastructure and where IDF has conducted repeated operations during the current conflict.

Actor responses

NATOOPPOSINGCONDEMNATION

Attacks on UN peacekeeping forces are a violation of international law and Resolution 1701. NATO allies with troops in UNIFIL are deeply concerned and demand an immediate explanation from Israel.

IsraelNEUTRALRESPONSE

The IDF is reviewing the incident at Mays al-Jabal. We are in contact with UNIFIL leadership. Our forces operate against Hezbollah infrastructure and take all precautions to avoid harm to UN personnel.

IranOPPOSINGCONDEMNATION

Israel is now attacking United Nations peacekeepers. This is the conduct of a rogue state. The international community must act to stop this criminal war immediately.

NATOOPPOSINGCONDEMNATION

Attacks on UN peacekeeping forces are a violation of international law and Resolution 1701. NATO allies with troops in UNIFIL are deeply concerned and demand an immediate explanation from Israel.

IsraelNEUTRALRESPONSE

The IDF is reviewing the incident at Mays al-Jabal. We are in contact with UNIFIL leadership. Our forces operate against Hezbollah military infrastructure and take all necessary precautions to avoid harm to UN personnel.

IranOPPOSINGCONDEMNATION

Israel is now attacking United Nations peacekeepers. This is the conduct of a rogue state. The international community must act to stop this criminal war immediately.