UN Peacekeeper Killed by Mortar Fire Near Marjayoun as Israeli Forces Maintain Presence in Southern Lebanon After Ceasefire

A UNIFIL peacekeeper died in the early morning hours after mortar rounds struck his position near Marjayoun in southern Lebanon. The peacekeeper sustained critical injuries in the barrage, and two other UN peacekeepers were wounded during the mortar fire. UNIFIL did not indicate the nationality of the killed peacekeeper or who was responsible for the attack.

He stated, “We promised security to the residents of the north and we delivered,” and said members of the opposition should apologize and acknowledge the ceasefire achievement. Katz added that the declaration includes an unequivocal statement on the disarmament of Hezbollah and its removal from the area south of the Litani River, and that it allows for the continued presence of the Israeli military in the security area.

The Israeli military said its forces have achieved operational control of the Beaufort Ridge area in southern Lebanon.

It reported killing two armed individuals in a combined air and ground attack in recent days. Forces from the Golani Brigade’s divisional combat team operating under the 36th Division identified the two individuals approximately 150 metres away during an assault on the ridge adjacent to Beaufort Fortress.

The Beaufort Ridge, located near the town of Arnoun, overlooks the Israeli border and the Litani River valley, and has long been considered a strategic military position.

Israel Katz said a ceasefire with Lebanon grants the military the freedom to strike Beirut if Hezbollah attacks Israeli communities. He stated that the army will continue its fire and ground operations, remain in the security zone in Lebanon up to the Yellow Line, including in the Beaufort area, and continue to dismantle terrorist infrastructure on the ground.

Katz added that Israeli forces retain the freedom of action, with US backing, to strike in Beirut in response to fire on Israeli communities and territory.

Former Israeli Defence Minister and Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Avigdor Lieberman criticised the Lebanon ceasefire. He said it gives Hezbollah time to regroup and rebuild its forces and that the agreement amounted to a return to the concept that led to October 7. Lieberman added that the battle must be decisively concluded and Hezbollah must be eliminated.

The Israeli military issued an urgent warning to residents of southern Lebanon to refrain from traveling south of the Zahrani River until further notice. The Zahrani River is located approximately halfway between the Israeli border and the Lebanese city of Sidon.

The military said fighting in southern Lebanon is ongoing as Israeli forces continue to target infrastructure and facilities belonging to Hezbollah located in or near local villages, and that anyone who travels south of the river puts their life at risk.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry called for the utmost restraint following Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain. It said both sides should adhere to the ceasefire and that there will be major obstacles to reaching an agreement if military escalation continues.

US Senator Chris Van Hollen called for the release of Sama Safi, a 20-year-old US citizen arrested by the Israeli army at Birzeit University in the occupied West Bank.

8 billion shekels, approximately $1 billion.