“Yesterday, an Israeli military intelligence-gathering drone was shot down during a routine intelligence-gathering operation in the Kfar Qira region of southern Lebanon,” military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani told X.
“Initial investigations suggest that UNIFIL forces stationed nearby intentionally fired at the drone and shot it down. The drone activity did not pose a threat to UNIFIL forces.”
After the drone shot, the military dropped grenades in the area where the UAV fell.
UNIFIL announced on Sunday that an Israeli drone had flown over the patrol “in an offensive manner”.
“Peacekeepers took the necessary defensive measures to neutralize the drone,” the statement said.
The incident “demonstrates a disregard for the safety and security of peacekeepers carrying out their Security Council-mandated mission in southern Lebanon,” it said.
UNIFIL later announced that another Israeli drone approached an active patrol aircraft near Kfar Qira and dropped a grenade.
“Shortly thereafter, Israeli tanks opened fire on the peacekeepers. Fortunately, no injuries or damage occurred to UNIFIL peacekeepers and assets,” the statement added.
MNA