Serbian UN peacekeeper killed in south Lebanon

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has said that a peacekeeper was killed and two others wounded when shelling hit its base in the country's south.

"A UNIFIL peacekeeper died early this morning from critical injuries sustained when mortar shells struck his position," a statement from the force said, adding that an investigation had been launched.

Serbia's defence ministry confirmed that the peacekeeper was Serbian, specifying that he died from injuries caused by a missile strike on the UN base.

"Senior Sergeant Milovan Jovanovic was given emergency medical care at a hospital inside the base after being wounded and then transported by helicopter to the University Medical Center in Beirut, where he died," the statement said.

The Defence Forces said that all Irish personnel are well and accounted for.

In a statement it said that the situation is south Lebanon "remains highly volatile, but all Irish personnel are well and accounted for".

It said that personnel of the 128th Infantry Battalion continue to employ force protection measures enabling them to observe and monitor the ongoing conflict in line with UNSCR 1701.

"Óglaigh na hÉireann remains resolute in its commitment to UNIFIL."

UNIFIL said that two other peacekeepers also sustained injuries, and are being treated at a medical facility in the base.

It said that the peacekeeper was flown to a hospital in Beirut after the incident but later died from his wounds. UNIFIL has launched an investigation to ascertain the exact circumstances that led to the incident.

It added that it has detected an increasingly high number of trajectories and impacts in south Lebanon.

It said: "the violence must end. We reiterate our call on all actors to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times, including by refraining from actions that may put peacekeepers in danger. We also call on relevant national authorities to investigate the incident, bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure criminal accountability.

"Deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701, and may amount to war crimes."