The collapsing Lebanese scene needed nothing more than the attack on "UNIFIL" on Wednesday night in the south.
**Incident in Al-Aaqbiya**
It was reported that an Irish soldier was killed and three others injured due to gunfire on a "UNIFIL" convoy in Al-Aaqbiya late Wednesday into early Thursday, in an incident not unique in nature between international forces and "the locals," who, according to sources opposed to "Al-Markazia," would not have acted so aggressively were they not comforted by the cover provided by Hezbollah.
**What Happened?**
In detail, circulating information indicated that while UNIFIL forces were passing through the Al-Aaqbiya area heading to Beirut, the patrol was intercepted by local residents and gunfire was directed at it, as it was taking an unusual route. During their attempt to withdraw from the problematic location, the UNIFIL vehicle overturned and hit a local resident, but his injuries were minor.
**The State Offers Condolences**
UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti announced that "until now, the details surrounding the incident are scattered and conflicting, and we are coordinating with the Lebanese Armed Forces, and we have opened an investigation to determine what exactly happened." Lebanese authorities limited their response to offering condolences and wishing that the incident would not be repeated. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri contacted the commander of UNIFIL operating in southern Lebanon, Major General Aruldo Lazaro, to express his condolences. Meanwhile, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed "deep sorrow over the tragic incident," emphasizing "the necessity for relevant authorities to conduct the necessary investigations to uncover the circumstances of this incident and to avoid its recurrence in the future," calling on "all parties to exercise wisdom and broad-mindedness during this critical phase the country is going through." The prime minister made two calls to Army Commander General Joseph Aoun and UNIFIL Commander General Aruldo Lazaro to familiarize himself with the incident's details.
**Hezbollah Disavows**
In contrast, Hezbollah quickly distanced itself from the incident. While Ghiyath Yazeebak, a member of the Strong Republic bloc, tweeted, "A blatant assault on UNIFIL forces led to the killing of a soldier and the wounding of 3 at the hands of 'the locals.' Does the government tell UNIFIL to restrict its forces to the routes we theoretically control, as any deviation leads them into the traps of the state where there is neither power nor sovereignty? This disgraceful stance adds to a record fraught with defects that President Macron will receive." Hezbollah's coordination and liaison unit head, Hajj Wafiq Safa, called for not involving Hezbollah in the incident that occurred in Al-Aaqbiya between the locals and one of UNIFIL's Irish vehicles. Safa urged space for security agencies to investigate the incident, revealing that one vehicle from the Irish force took an unaccustomed route while the second vehicle followed the usual international road without incident. Safa extended condolences to UNIFIL for the fallen soldier, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured in the unintended incident and called for refraining from involving "the party" in the matter as it had no part in it.
**Determination for the Truth**
While such incidents often remain unaccounted for in areas of Hezbollah's influence, international condemnations of the assault were registered, with insistence on uncovering the truth. An informed source through "Al-Markazia" stated that UNIFIL and Ireland await the Lebanese authorities to name the perpetrators and not to resort to the customary obfuscation trend to placate an active party in the region, nor to use softened language or hide behind the phrase "local residents." The source continued, "Every time an incident occurs, the responsible party is well-known, but investigations fail to name names." It was pointed out that what happened yesterday exceeded all bounds, and describing the incident as a regrettable accident cannot go unanswered.
Irish President Michael D. Higgins stated, "We, as a people, are very proud of our ongoing record in peacekeeping with the United Nations. However, we must never forget the dangers of this work." Likewise, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin remarked, "We operate in a difficult hostile environment."
**Call for a Swift Investigation**
The Special Coordinator of the United Nations in Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, tweeted, "I was deeply saddened by the death of the Irish soldier from UNIFIL. I extend my sincere condolences to his family, to the head of the UNIFIL mission, Major General Aruldo Lazaro, and to all peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured. A swift and comprehensive investigation to determine the facts of this tragic incident is crucial." The British Ambassador to Lebanon asserted that those responsible for the death of the Irish soldier from UNIFIL must be held accountable. France, for its part, condemned the targeting of UNIFIL and demanded an immediate and unimpeded investigation.
