NNA - A spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Friday confirmed during a press briefing in Geneva that forces operating in southern Lebanon have been targeted multiple times, with five of these attacks described as "deliberate."

"Our positions have been repeatedly attacked in Lebanon, putting peacekeeping forces at risk," the spokesperson stated.

He expressed shock at the devastation in many Lebanese villages along and beyond the Blue Line, calling the damage "alarming."

Emphasizing the need for UNIFIL's continued presence, the spokesperson assured that "peacekeepers' morale remains very high," according to Reuters.

The spokesperson also confirmed the discovery of a potential use of white phosphorus near a base, saying: "We found traces of what may have been white phosphorus several months ago near one of our bases."

He added that a drone originating from the south circled a UNIFIL ship off Lebanon’s coast, approaching within a few meters.

================R.H.