Israeli shell hits UNIFIL base in southern Lebanon

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said that an artillery shell hit its West Sector headquarters in Southern Lebanon's Shama on Thursday. 

A 155mm artillery shell struck the base but failed to explode.

There was no injury among peacekeepers, and only minor damages to a facility, UNIFIL added in a statement.

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, has condemned the incident and called recent attacks on peacekeepers "unacceptable."

Tajani said he spoke with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar to seek clarification on what happened.

"I also reiterated my request for better protection for the Italian soldiers, who are there on a peacekeeping mission, not as combatants," Tajani added.

Established by a UN Security Council resolution in 2006, the 10,000-strong UN mission is stationed in southern Lebanon to monitor hostilities along the "blue line" separating Lebanon from Israel.

Since Israel launched a ground campaign in Lebanon at the end of September, Israeli forces have attacked UNIFL positions multiple times, including shooting at peacekeepers, storming a base, and destroying watch towers, prompting international condemnation of the violence.