The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon has raised alarm over escalating Israeli military activity and Hezbollah operations near its positions along the Lebanon-Israel border. The peacekeeping mission reported a surge in drone activity and the presence of Hezbollah fighters close to its outposts, developments it says are putting its personnel at increasing risk.

Several recent drone incidents have occurred near the mission’s headquarters in Naqoura. According to the force, drones believed to have been launched by Hezbollah detonated within metres of areas where Israeli soldiers could have been present, with one exploding inside the headquarters compound and causing property damage. No injuries were reported, though buildings sustained damage.

Other incidents included an armed drone crashing into a position at Al-Hinniyah without detonating and another drone found to be unarmed near Naqoura. Preliminary findings suggest at least one drone was of Iranian manufacture. The peacekeeping mission said it has formally protested both Israeli military movements near its sites and the activities of non-state armed groups, urging all sides to avoid actions that endanger peacekeepers as it continues reporting developments to the United Nations Security Council.