A heavy barrage of mortar Israeli shells struck near the southern town of Marjayoun on June 4, triggering mutual accusations amid sharp border tensions.

A Serbian peacekeeper serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) died, and two Spanish soldiers sustained injuries following a mortar attack near the southern town of Marjayoun this Wednesday night.

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The Serbian military member was evacuated under emergency protocols to a highly specialized medical facility in the capital city of Beirut immediately after the nighttime strike occurred. Despite the urgent medical intervention, healthcare authorities confirmed his death a few hours after admission due to the severe wounds sustained during the heavy bombardment.

Meanwhile, the two Spanish peacekeepers caught in the blast wave suffered minor concussions and bruises. Medical teams provided immediate assistance to the Spanish personnel within the security perimeter of the multinational peace mission’s base, confirming that their injuries do not pose a threat to their lives.

The base targeted in this attack, known as the Miguel de Cervantes base, operates under the direct command of Spain. This strategic multinational deployment is composed of joint forces, combining battalions from India, Nepal and Serbia to maintain peace in the volatile eastern sector of southern Lebanon.

Following the tragedy, UNIFIL command ordered a comprehensive and detailed technical investigation to discover the exact point of origin of the mortar shells. The international organization seeks to clarify every detail of this severe aggression against personnel protected under international mandates.

Diplomatic Response

The Spanish head of Government Pedro Sánchez issued a strong condemnation of the military strikes launched against the Miguel de Cervantes base and he expressed solidary support to the families of the victims and urged all combatant parties in the region to fully respect the ceasefire agreement declared.

In a public press briefing, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, José Manuel Albares, demanded that the investigation into this criminal action be pursued to its ultimate legal consequences. Albares insisted that the actors responsible for violating the diplomatic and physical immunity of the United Nations (UN) must be held accountable before international courts.

Text reads: “Yesterday evening, the conflict in Lebanon resulted in four mortar attacks on the Spanish base Miguel de Cervantes, a blue Serbian helmet killed and two Spaniards wounded. Our absolute condemnation of violence and full support for those who risk their lives to defend peace under the banner of the United Nations. We hope that all parties will comply fully with the ceasefire announced yesterday and that hostilities will end. Peace is the only future.”

Border Crisis Escalation

The command of the Israeli occupation army issued a swift statement attributing the lethal mortar bombardment to the Hezbollah Islamic Resistance brigades. Military officials in Tel Aviv claimed that a ballistic trajectory analysis indicated the shells were fired from mobile rocket launchers situated in the Al Qatrani region before hitting the Dibine area.

In contrast, the leadership of UNIFIL has opted to maintain strict diplomatic caution, refusing to publicly accuse any party involved in the conflict before official ballistics experts complete their forensic assessments.

The multinational mission warned that a highly concerning rise in artillery and mortar strikes has been documented across the entire border region leading up to the Litani River.

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