Four Ghanaian peacekeepers were injured in a rocket attack on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, in southern Lebanon, while stationed in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), peacekeeping base, UNP 5-42, located in the village of Ramyah near the Israeli border. The attack, which targeted the base, is believed to have been caused by non-state actors, though the specifics remain unclear.
According to reports from the United Nations Peacekeeping agency, the rocket, likely intended for an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) position, fell short of its target and landed within the Ghana Battalion’s designated area of the base. The explosion resulted in significant damage to the washroom and accommodation facilities at the base.
The Ghanaian soldiers, four in total, sustained injuries, with three of them requiring hospital treatment. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed the incident, stating that the soldiers were immediately transferred to a medical facility in Tyre for further care. Their conditions, however, were not immediately disclosed, and no fatalities were reported. The remaining soldier’s injuries were reportedly minor.
The attack in Ramyah marks a significant escalation in the area, which has been the site of rising tensions between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group. UNIFIL has reported this as one of three attacks against their troops and facilities on the same day. In addition to the rocket strike in Ramyah, another five rockets struck the UNIFIL Sector West Headquarters located in Shama, damaging a maintenance workshop but fortunately causing no injuries.
This attack on Shama was the second such incident within a week, with a 155mm artillery shell having struck the same base just days earlier on November 15, 2024. Furthermore, a UNIFIL patrol near the village of Khirbat Silim was shot at by an armed individual, though no injuries were reported in that incident.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have attributed the rocket fire to Hezbollah, which has been engaged in a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, allegedly targeting Israeli positions. However, as of now, Hezbollah has not officially commented on the incidents. The IDF has also stated that while their forces are on high alert, they are working closely with UNIFIL to secure peace in the area.
UNIFIL, in its response to these attacks, has condemned them as a violation of international law and a breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates the presence of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon to maintain peace and security. UNIFIL has launched a full investigation into the incident and other recent attacks targeting its facilities and personnel. The peacekeepers are continuing their efforts to monitor violations, conduct patrols, and ensure the safety of the region.
The attacks have raised alarms about the ongoing instability in southern Lebanon, where tensions between Hezbollah and Israel have been exacerbated in recent months. Despite the challenges, UNIFIL remains committed to its peacekeeping role, with a focus on ensuring stability and preventing any further escalation of violence in the region.
The United Nations has reiterated its support for its peacekeeping forces, urging all parties involved to respect international law and protect the safety of UN personnel. The situation remains under close scrutiny, as further developments unfold in the volatile region.
