BEIRUT, June 4 (Xinhua) -- A peacekeeper died early Thursday from injuries sustained when mortar shells struck his position near Marjayoun in southeastern Lebanon the previous night, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said.
Two other peacekeepers were injured in the incident and are receiving treatment at a medical facility inside a UNIFIL base, a UNIFIL statement said.
The mission said the critically injured peacekeeper was airlifted to a hospital in Beirut shortly after the attack but later succumbed to his wounds.
UNIFIL said it had launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The mission also reported a growing number of projectile trajectories and impacts across southern Lebanon, warning of increasing violence in the area.
UNIFIL urged all parties to comply with their obligations under international law and ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and facilities. It also called on Lebanese authorities to investigate the incident, hold those responsible accountable and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The peacekeeping force noted that deliberate attacks on peacekeepers constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and may amount to war crimes.
Established in 1978, UNIFIL monitors the cessation of hostilities and supports stability along Lebanon's southern border. ■
