BEIRUT, March 29 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol came under fire from the Israeli army on Saturday afternoon along the Blue Line, which separates Lebanon and Israel, according to a statement from UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti.

The statement said, "UNIFIL peacekeepers reported that the Israeli army fired warning shots from a machine gun across the Blue Line."

The incident occurred during a scheduled reconnaissance patrol near the village of Rmeish in southern Lebanon, located in the central sector of the border area. UNIFIL said "no one was harmed" and called the incident "a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701."

In a separate incident on the same day, UNIFIL peacekeepers reported that an Israeli army patrol directed laser beams at them, targeting their bodies and eyes.

Tenenti condemned the actions, stating, "Any action that endangers the safety of UN peacekeepers while they carry out their mandated duties is unacceptable ... We are following up on these incidents with the Israeli army."

UNIFIL facilities have previously been targeted amid ongoing clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The UN mission has accused the Israeli army of targeting its positions, which has also drawn international criticism. Enditem

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