Baghdad: The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was attacked by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, UNIFIL explained in a statement that two of its patrols were fired upon with live ammunition from machine guns at close range while conducting patrols near Kfarshouba in southern Lebanon. No casualties were reported.

The statement added that the gunfire originated from an Israeli position south of the Blue Line, and that UNIFIL had sent a request to cease fire through its established communication channels.

UNIFIL had notified the Israeli forces in advance of its activities in those areas, in accordance with standard procedures for patrols in sensitive areas near the Blue Line.

The statement called for an end to the aggressive behavior and attacks against forces working for peace and stability along or near the Blue Line. He noted that such attacks have occurred repeatedly, constituting serious violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.