A member of the Australian Defense Force involved in United Nations peacekeeping operations in southern Lebanon has been injured in an explosion.
The service member’s injuries are not life-threatening, the Department of Defense confirmed to AAP on Sunday.
The member was deployed as part of Operation Paladin, under which Australia supports the UN organization monitoring truces in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
A member of the Australian Defense Force involved in United Nations peacekeeping operations in southern Lebanon has been injured in an explosion.
The peacekeeping mission, known as UNIFIL, is stationed in southern Lebanon to monitor hostilities between Lebanon and Israel.
The member was transported to a health facility at a nearby military base for treatment after being injured Saturday and has since been released to recover, a Defense Department spokesperson said.
“Defense is taking appropriate measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the member,” they added.
The Australian, who was with two UN military observers and a Lebanese translator, was on a routine patrol to monitor activity near the Israel-Lebanon border.
The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has been exchanging fire with the Israeli army across the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel, known as the Blue Line, since October in parallel with the war in Gaza.
UNIFIL and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the bombing and said attacking peacekeepers is unacceptable.
UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said in a statement that an investigation is underway to find out who was responsible.
“The safety of UN personnel must be guaranteed,” Tenenti said.
“All actors have a responsibility under international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of non-combatants, including peacekeepers, journalists, medical personnel and civilians.
“We repeat our call to all actors to cease the current intense exchanges of fire before more people are unnecessarily injured.”
The origin of the attack is still known, but the Israel Defense Forces have denied involvement.
“Contrary to reports, the IDF did not attack a UNIFIL vehicle in the Rmeish area this morning,” he said in a statement overnight.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has reiterated Australia’s call for Israel’s Netanyahu government to allow aid into the besieged Gaza Strip as the humanitarian situation worsens.
“We know people need it desperately,” he told Sky News on Sunday.
“I reiterate again the need for the Netanyahu government to allow aid to Gaza.”
