A large group of civilians wielding metal rods and axes attacked a patrol of U.N. troops in southern Lebanon on Friday, causing damage to U.N. vehicles but no injuries, a United Nations peacekeeping force said.

UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon raise alarm over Israeli military's direct fire at their positions, marking a troubling escalation in tensions following a recent ceasefire.

A routine UN peacekeeping patrol was attacked on Friday in southern Lebanon by a group of civilians wielding metal sticks and axes, damaging UN vehicles but causing no injuries. The peacekeepers were confronted during a pre-planned,