Two Ghanaian soldiers deployed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have been critically injured after missiles struck their battalion headquarters in southern Lebanon during renewed clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.
The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed in a statement on Friday that the Ghanaian Battalion Headquarters within the UN peacekeeping mission was targeted in two missile strikes within seven minutes on the evening of March 6.
The attacks occurred between 5:45pm and 5:52pm local time. Two Ghanaian peacekeepers sustained critical injuries, while another soldier experienced trauma following the explosions.
According to the military’s Department of Public Relations, the strikes caused major destruction at the camp. The Officers’ Mess facility was hit directly and was completely destroyed by fire.
The injured personnel are currently receiving treatment at the base’s Level One Medical Bunker and are reported to be in stable condition. Arrangements are underway to transfer them to the UNIFIL Headquarters Referral Hospital for further medical care.
Despite the attack, the military assured the public that the rest of the Ghanaian contingent is safe. Troops quickly moved into underground bunkers when the missiles struck, protecting them from further harm.
Meanwhile, the Government of Ghana has formally protested the incident at the United Nations headquarters in New York through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration. Authorities in Accra have urged all parties operating within the UNIFIL mission area to respect their responsibility to safeguard peacekeeping personnel.
