Maltese soldiers forming part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon are reported safe according to AFM officials.

This comes after the UN HQ in Lebanon called the UNIFIL, was struck by a missile in Naquora, as Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israeli fighters exchange fire across the borders.

Malta Armed Forced has nine soldiers in Lebanon, supporting a UN Mission, together with the Irish Defence Forces.

“Although the situation is volatile all Maltese soldiers are safe,” AFM spokesperson said, adding that they are closely monitoring the escalating situation.

More than 10,000 peacekeeping troops are present at the borders of Lebanon’s border with  Israel and Syria.

The UNIFIL issued a statement after the incident, saying no UN personnel were inside the building when the rocket hit. It is not yet clear who fired the missile.

Any attacks on civilians or UN personnel go against international law.

Conflict between Israel and Hamas, a Palestinian militia group, erupted ten days ago, leading to mass bloodshed. Israel has ordered an evacuation of 1.1 million people Northern Gaza, on the weekend, a move decried by the UN.