BEIRUT - The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said late Monday that Israeli tanks fired shells near its peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, calling the move a serious violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

UNIFIL said in a statement that peacekeepers observed two Israeli Merkava tanks moving from an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) position inside Lebanese territory near the town of Sarda further into the country earlier on Monday. Despite peacekeepers' requests through liaison channels to halt the activity, an Israeli tank fired three shells, with two landing approximately 150 meters from the peacekeepers.

As the UN personnel withdrew for safety, they were "continuously tracked with a laser" from the tanks, the statement said. The tanks retreated about 30 minutes later, and no injuries were reported.

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UNIFIL said that it had informed the IDF in advance about activities in the area in line with standard procedures for patrols near the Blue Line, and that such attacks on identifiable peacekeepers performing tasks are becoming increasingly frequent.

UNIFIL called on the IDF to ensure the safety of peacekeepers and to cease attacks on them, noting that such actions undermine regional stability.