BEIRUT: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Tuesday reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to renewing the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon to support UN Resolution 1701 and maintain border security.

His statement followed an incident in which UNIFIL peacekeepers reported being confronted by rock-throwing individuals during a patrol in southern Lebanon, and described repeated attacks on its troops as “unacceptable.”

Salam condemned the attacks on UNIFIL, calling for the perpetrators to be apprehended and held accountable.

He warned that such actions threatened southern Lebanon’s stability and national interests, directing security agencies to refer the assailants to the judicial authorities.

The Lebanese Foreign Ministry echoed his sentiments, urging prosecution under Lebanese and international law while reaffirming its support for UNIFIL’s role in preserving peace and security.

UNIFIL urged the Lebanese government to “take all necessary measures to ensure that its forces perform their duties without any threat.”

The peacekeepers said they conducted their mission in coordination with the Lebanese army and based on UNIFIL’s mandate terms.

UNIFIL reiterated that freedom of movement was a fundamental condition for implementing its mandate, including the ability to operate independently and impartially, as outlined in UN Resolution 1701.

“Any restriction on this freedom, whether during operational activities with or without the Lebanese Armed Forces, is a violation of this resolution,” the statement added.

A supporter of the Iran-backed Hezbollah slapped a Finnish UNIFIL soldier on Tuesday. The incident occurred while a UNIFIL patrol was conducting search operations in an area between the towns of Deir Qanoun Al-Nahr and Al-Halloussiyah in the Tyre District, south of the Litani River.

The assault represents the most serious incident in two weeks of mounting tensions between UNIFIL peacekeepers and individuals Hezbollah describes as “locals.”

The assault, which was captured on video by the protesters themselves and shared across social media platforms, occurred during disputes over UNIFIL’s right to conduct inspections without Lebanese army escorts.

The controversy emerged as the UN prepared to review the renewal of the peacekeeping mission’s mandate.

The next renewal is expected to be considered by the UN Security Council in August as the current mandate, extended on Aug. 28, 2024, expires on Aug. 31.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a key Hezbollah ally, characterized Tuesday’s incident differently, claiming it represented “a conspiracy against international forces designed to harm them, Lebanon, and the south.”

Tuesday's violence occurred after two separate patrol incidents. First, Hezbollah supporters blocked UNIFIL forces from entering private property in Bedias town without the Lebanese army, forcing the patrol’s withdrawal. Later on, another UNIFIL unit approached private land along the Al-Halloussiyah to Deir Qanoun Al-Nahr road, again without military escort.

Locals quickly mobilized, surrounding the international patrol and demanding its departure. Tensions peaked when one protester physically struck the UN soldier.

Lebanese army units later intervened to restore calm and immediately launched a hunt for the assailant.

Local witnesses expressed alarm at seeing Lebanese soldiers potentially confronting civilians.

UNIFIL later clarified that its “personnel used non-lethal measures in order to guarantee the protection of the patrol members and others.”

Lebanese Armed Forces quickly arrived at the site and the patrol resumed its duties when the situation was brought under control.

A witness said an argument ensued between locals and the Lebanese army after the latter began to hunt for the man who slapped the peacekeeper.

The protesters argued that UN forces should not operate independently of Lebanese military supervision, while UNIFIL maintained that its operations complied with established protocols.

Fares Souaid, the head of the Lady of the Mountain Gathering, warned that “the cost of beating a UNIFIL soldier will be very high.”

He added that Hezbollah members were “unaware of the harm the party is causing them.”

The incident was preceded by an Israeli drone striking shepherds in the border town of Shebaa. The Lebanese Ministry of Health later reported the strike had killed “the citizen Mohammed Kanaan and his son, Wael, a soldier in the army. His second son, Hadi, was injured.”

The number of Israeli violations since the ceasefire agreement of Nov. 27 has now reached 1,643 on land, 1,774 by air, and 88 by sea, a total of 3,505.

Hezbollah media reported that these had resulted in 172 deaths and 409 people suffering injuries.

The ceasefire agreement, which sought to end over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, allows only Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers in the south of the country.