KATHMANDU, March 15: An explosion struck a camp of Nepali soldiers deployed in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, but all personnel are safe, the Nepali Army said on Sunday.
According to international news agency AFP, the incident occurred at the battalion headquarters of Nepali peacekeepers stationed in Mais al-Jabal in southern Lebanon on Friday evening.
NA Directorate of Public Relations and Information said the explosion caused minor property damage but no casualties among the troops. “There were some explosions in Mais al-Jabal where Nepali peacekeepers are deployed. A house in the area sustained damage and some personal belongings of Nepali soldiers were affected. However, there has been no human casualty,” Basnet said.
All Nepali peacekeepers in Lebanon safe: Nepali Army
More than 500 Nepali peacekeepers are currently deployed across Lebanon under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Their operations are coordinated from the battalion headquarters in southern Lebanon, near the border with Israel.
The force commander of the Nepali contingent is Brigadier General Man Bahadur Thapa. All soldiers were inside bunkers at the time of the explosion and remained unharmed, the NA said.
Officials said it is not yet clear how many peacekeepers were present at the headquarters when the explosion occurred due to routine rotations and movement of personnel. “There is constant movement and rotation of troops, so it has not been confirmed how many personnel were present at the headquarters at that time,” Basnet said.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that an Israeli shell allegedly had landed inside the headquarters of the Nepali battalion serving under UN peacekeeping forces in Mais al-Jabal.
UNIFIL Spokesperson Candice Ardell said: "Last night, one of our positions near Mays al-Jabal was hit, likely by heavy machine gun fire, which caused a fire. One of our peacekeepers sustained minor injuries while heading to the shelter. We have launched and investigation into the incident.”
She added: “We remind all parties of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers at all times.”
Meanwhile, António Guterres, who is currently visiting Lebanon, condemned attacks targeting peacekeepers and called for an immediate halt to the escalating conflict.
Guterres urged the international community to step up efforts to restore peace, stressing that the people of Lebanon, Israel and other countries have the right to live without fear.
