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Israeli gunfire injures UN peacekeeper in south Lebanon

Israeli gunfire injures UN peacekeeper in south Lebanon

Israeli gunfire near United Nations peacekeeping patrols along the "Blue Line" border slightly injured one peacekeeper on Friday, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said, reported Xinhua. In a statement, UNIFIL said heavy machine-gun fire from Israel Defense Forces (IDF) positions south of the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon struck near a patrol inspecting a roadblock in the village of Bastarra. The fire followed a grenade explosion in the area. While no UN equipment was damaged, one peacekeeper sustained a minor ear concussion. A separate incident occurred the same day in Kfarchouba, where another patrol on routine operations came under "close-range" machine-gun fire from the Israeli side. UNIFIL emphasized that the IDF had been notified of both patrols' movements in advance, in accordance with established coordination procedures. "Attacks on or near peacekeepers are serious violations of Security Council Resolution 1701," the mission said, urging the IDF to cease "aggressive behavior" against personnel. The IDF did not immediately respond to a request for comment. UNIFIL sites and facilities have previously been targeted during clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, causing injuries. A U.S. and French-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel has been in effect since Nov. 27, 2024, ending clashes linked to the Gaza Strip conflict. Despite the agreement, Israel has periodically conducted strikes in Lebanon, citing Hezbollah "threats," and has maintained forces at five key positions along the Lebanese border after a Feb. 18 deadline for full withdrawal passed.

Strong wind forecast as low pressure over sea intensifies

Strong wind forecast as low pressure over sea intensifies

Very strong wind is likely to blow over the South-western part of the country on Saturday afternoon as a well-marked low pressure, created over the southern Bothnian Sea, intensified further, said the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) in a release on Thursday. The strong wind will particularly affect the maritime areas and disrupt the post-Christmas return traffic along the west coast. According to the forecast issued by the FMI, the low-pressure will intensify further and move towards the northern part of the country. As a result, winds will strengthen to storm especially over western and southwestern sea areas. At sea, average wind speeds may locally reach around 25 meters per second. At the same time, wave heights in the southern Bothnian Sea may exceed seven meters. The storm is forecast to peak on Saturday evening, after which winds will gradually weaken, with strong winds remaining only over southern sea areas by Sunday morning. On land, the strongest winds are expected over Åland and along the western and southwestern coasts, where wind gusts may locally exceed 20 meters to 25 meters per second on Saturday afternoon and evening. In Lapland, conditions will also be gusty in many places, with gusts in the fells reaching up to 30 meters per second. FMI meteorologist Ville Siiskonen said that in western part of the country, the strong wind will continue from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning while in Lapland the strongest wind blow by midnight.