BEIRUT, November 26. /TASS/. Israel deliberately attacked UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) positions, UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti said.

"We came under targeted attacks, including from heavy artillery systems in such areas as Chama and Naqoura, as well as in other areas, for instance, Labouna. We lost some of our servicemen due to these attacks," he said in an interview with the Al Mayadeen television channel.

According to Tenenti, Israel violated UN Security Council resolutions and international law more than once and the UN Security Council must "assess and react to these violations." However, he stressed that "despite serious challenges, UN forces continue to carry out their monitoring duties in southern Lebanon."

As for the alleged bias of the UN peacekeepers, he stressed that "their mission requires impartiality." "UNIFIL’s actions in southern Lebanon are transparent. Some Lebanese groups accuse us of being on Israel’s side, others say that we support Hezbollah. But our goal is neutrality and justice," he pointed out.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 after militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion on Israeli territory, killing many Israeli kibbutz residents living near the Gaza border and abducting more than 240 Israelis, including women, children and the elderly. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched a ground operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

On September 23, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Northern Arrows against the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, carrying out massive airstrikes on its military targets. On the night of October 1, Israel announced the start of a limited ground offensive in the border areas of southern Lebanon.