According to UNIFIL, Israeli forces intentionally destroyed one of their locations in southern Lebanon.In its most recent assault on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, Israel “demolished” a watchtower.
According to UNIFIL, Israeli forces intentionally destroyed one of their locations in southern Lebanon.In the most recent incident, which is being reported by the force that is still stationed in every position, United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon claim that the Israeli army “deliberately” damaged one of their positions in southern Lebanon.
Peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are seen along the Lebanese side of the border with Israel [File: Ariel Schalit/AP News]
The UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a statement that an Israeli “army bulldozer deliberately demolished an observation tower and perimeter fence of a UN position” in southern Lebanon and that its forces are still in all of their positions “despite the pressure being exerted.”
According to the statement, “We remind the [Israeli forces] and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times.”Israel was urged to cease violating UN resolutions, which are regarded as “a flagrant violation of international law.”Recently, Israel has made accusations against Hezbollah, which the Lebanese armed group denies, that the latter is attacking Israel from positions near UN peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon.
UNIFIL reported on Wednesday that an Israeli tank had opened fire on one of its southern Lebanon watchtowers.This happened after several days of gunfire against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, injuring at least four soldiers.Two Israeli tanks “destroyed” the main gate at one of UNIFIL’s positions in southern Lebanon last week, according to UNIFIL, and “forcibly entered the position.”Since beginning a ground invasion into southern Lebanon in early October, Israel has opened fire on multiple front-line UNIFIL positions, claiming the objective is to destroy Hezbollah’s infrastructure.
Hezbollah is a Lebanese organisation backed by Iran that has been exchanging gunfire with the Israeli army in support of the Palestinians in Gaza.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has joined the chorus of people denouncing Israel’s strikes, stating that they violate international law and “may constitute a war crime.”
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, stated last week that he expects Guterres to remove UNIFIL forces from “combat zones,” claiming that their presence is giving Hezbollah a “human shield.”However, the UN insists that the mission, which has participants from 50 nations, is here to stay.Since 1978, UNIFIL has kept watch over the area along Israel’s border with Lebanon. Over 10,000 soldiers have been sent to the mission from more than 50 nations.Since Israel has intensified its attacks in southern Lebanon, Netanyahu has been advocating for the withdrawal of UN peacekeepers.