Ghana UN Peacekeepers Hit by Missiles in Lebanon

Missile strikes hit the headquarters of Ghana’s United Nations peacekeeping battalion in southern Lebanon, injuring two soldiers and damaging facilities as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah expands across the border region.

The attack occurred on 6 March 2026, when the Ghanaian Battalion Headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) came under two missile strikes between 17:45 and 17:52 local time, according to a press release from the Ghana Armed Forces issued at General Headquarters, Burma Camp in Accra.

Ghana Armed Forces said the missile strikes injured two soldiers critically and left one additional soldier traumatized. The strikes also destroyed the battalion’s officers’ mess facility, which caught fire after being hit.

“Two soldiers are critically injured, while one other has been traumatised. Additionally, the Officers’ Mess facility also got hit and has been burnt down completely,” the statement said.

The injured soldiers were treated at a Level One Medical Bunker at the base and were reported to be stable. Military officials said preparations were underway to evacuate them to the UNIFIL Headquarters Referral Hospital for further care.

Ghana’s military said its peacekeepers were sheltering in underground bunkers during the attack and that the broader contingent remained safe despite the incident.

The Ghana Armed Forces did not identify which party fired the missiles.

The incident comes amid renewed hostilities in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israel on Monday, prompting an Israeli military offensive against the group.

The fighting has drawn Lebanon deeper into the wider Middle East conflict and increased risks for the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission, which operates along the Blue Line separating Israel and Lebanon.

Ghanaian soldiers form part of the UN peacekeeping contingent deployed to monitor ceasefire arrangements and help stabilize the region.

Following the attack, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a protest with the United Nations headquarters in New York, urging all parties involved in the conflict to respect their obligations toward the safety of peacekeeping forces.

The attack follows earlier incidents involving UN peacekeeping positions in southern Lebanon.

On 16 January, UNIFIL said that an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Merkava tank south of the Blue Line fired approximately 30 small-calibre rounds toward a UNIFIL position near Kafer Chouba.

A previous UNIFIL statement described another incident on 22 October 2025, when peacekeepers stationed at a permanent observation post near Dhayra were monitoring Israeli military operations in nearby areas.

“Upon realizing they were being observed, the IDF soldiers fired at the post. The duty guards withdrew to avoid being shot,” the UNIFIL statement said.

UNIFIL operates as one of the United Nations’ major peacekeeping missions in the Middle East, tasked with monitoring ceasefire lines and supporting stability along the border region.

As fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalates, attacks or stray fire near UN positions risk drawing peacekeeping forces into the conflict environment.

The Ghana Armed Forces said it has taken measures to ensure the safety of its deployed personnel and urged the public to remain calm while the situation develops.