UNIFIL Shoots Down Israeli Drone; IDF Disputes Account

UNIFIL peacekeepers in southern Lebanon shot down an Israeli drone over Kafr Kila, saying the unmanned aircraft flew in an aggressive manner and that peacekeepers applied necessary defensive countermeasures. UNIFIL said a second drone dropped a grenade near its patrol and that an Israeli tank fired toward the force, but no peacekeepers were hurt. The Israeli Defense Forces disputed UNIFIL's account, saying the downed drone was on routine reconnaissance, that UNIFIL forces deliberately fired on it, and that Israeli forces later tossed a hand grenade toward the site but did not fire on UNIFIL. French troops were reported among the UNIFIL contingent involved. Both sides said the episode is being reviewed through military liaison channels amid rising tensions and questions about UNIFIL's future mandate.