Tensions continue to mount between local residents in southern Lebanon and UNIFIL troops following the ceasefire, with recent altercations raising concerns about the peacekeeping force’s conduct. The latest incident occurred in the valley between Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, Hallousiyeh, and Bedyas (Tyre district), where a French patrol from the reserve force entered the area without coordination with the Lebanese Army. The patrol was searching for suspected resistance infrastructure, provoking a confrontation that escalated into physical clashes after UN troops fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, and a Finnish soldier was slapped by one of the residents.

Residents have expressed anger over what they describe as “suspicious patrols” among the dozens regularly carried out south of the Litani River. While most UNIFIL movements proceed without incident, provocative behavior by some troops sparked backlash yesterday, resulting in a Finnish soldier getting slapped by a young man.

A well-informed source told Al-Akhbar that the primary source of provocation stems from actions by certain UNIFIL units. “Some contingents, especially the French and reserve forces under UNIFIL command, no longer operate within the mission’s original framework,” the source said, highlighting that these units are viewed as having overstepped their mandate, which is limited to supporting the Lebanese Army, ensuring civilian stability, and monitoring violations of Resolution 1701 by both parties.

The source explained that any documentation of violations, “including what UNIFIL refers to as ‘unauthorized weapons,’ regarding the resistance’s arms, must be done under Lebanese Army supervision.” The sources further noted that “even their right to freedom of movement is meant to take place strictly within the framework of Lebanese Army coordination.”

The source added that officers, especially in the French unit, have been conducting “unauthorized movements without coordinating with the Lebanese Army, sparking local anger.” The situation escalated further yesterday when Army personnel clashed with youths while trying to contain the confrontation in Deir Qanoun al-Nahr.

Sources denied claims that “Hezbollah or Amal had pledged to hand over the young man who slapped the Finnish soldier,” affirming that the protest was “spontaneous and not orchestrated by either group.”

Meanwhile, members of the UNIFIL patrol claimed they had “lost a device in the valley and requested permission to return and search for it.” The Lebanese Army refused and dispatched its own patrol instead, which “failed to locate the device.”

Al Akhbar report

I would need to weigh in and highlight that this wicked international entity shamelessly granted just recently access to BBC in southern Lebanon.

This pro-Zionist bunch, diced together from across the Western hemisphere dismissed with contempt the sovereignty of Lebanon. Treating the south equal to their backyard, UNIFIL  has long ego lost any credibility and has been forever performing below standard!