The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expressed regret on Wednesday after tank fire mistakenly struck a United Nations position in southern Lebanon, injuring Ghanaian peacekeepers.
According to military officials, the incident occurred earlier this month during an exchange of fire with Hezbollah fighters.
At least three Ghanaian soldiers were wounded when the UN base in al-Qawzah came under repeated tank fire, preliminary investigations indicate.
The IDF said its troops had initially responded to anti-tank missile fire from Hezbollah, which wounded two Israeli soldiers, but later determined the attack on the UN base was accidental.
“A comprehensive investigation concluded that the fire that hit UNIFIL personnel was mistakenly carried out,” the military said, adding that apologies have been extended to Ghana and the United Nations.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which monitors the Israel-Lebanon border, condemned the incident as “unacceptable,” warning that attacks on peacekeepers could violate international humanitarian law.
Investigators found that 120mm tank shells caused the strikes, noting that the fire occurred in rapid succession, suggesting sustained action rather than a single misfire.
The episode underscores the escalating risks for UN personnel in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters have engaged in repeated clashes despite a ceasefire agreement reached last year.
UNIFIL officials said their investigation is ongoing and called on all parties to prioritize the safety of peacekeepers amid intensifying regional violence.
