The United Nations has accused Israeli forces of breaching its peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon, the latest allegation of violations against the UN’s presence amid escalating hostilities with Hezbollah. This incident coincides with Hezbollah launching a deadly drone attack on an Israeli military camp.
According to a statement from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), two Israeli Merkava tanks broke through the main gate of a UN base before dawn on Sunday, causing significant damage. The tanks left shortly after, but shells exploded around 100 metres from the base, releasing smoke that caused illness among UN personnel.
However, Israeli authorities contested the UN’s account. The Israeli military stated that Hezbollah fighters had launched anti-tank missiles, injuring 25 Israeli soldiers near a UNIFIL post. In response, a tank involved in evacuating the wounded inadvertently backed into the UN base under heavy fire.
“It is not storming a base. It is not trying to enter a base. It was a tank under heavy fire, mass casualty event, backing up to get out of harm’s way,” said Nadav Shoshani, an international spokesperson for the Israeli military.
The military further explained that it used a smokescreen during the evacuation of the soldiers, asserting that their actions posed no risk to the peacekeepers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the withdrawal of UNIFIL peacekeepers from Hezbollah-dominated areas, accusing the force of acting as “human shields” for the Iran-backed militant group. “The time has come for you to withdraw UNIFIL from Hezbollah strongholds and from the combat zones,” Netanyahu said in a statement to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Hezbollah, however, has denied using peacekeepers for protection.
The UN has expressed its concerns, with spokesperson Stephane Dujarric reaffirming that UNIFIL peacekeepers “remain in all positions” and must not be targeted. Dujarric added, “Attacks against peacekeepers are in breach of international law, including international humanitarian law. They may constitute a war crime.”
The conflict has raised concerns about UNIFIL’s ability to monitor potential violations of international law, particularly following previous Israeli attacks on UN watchtowers and equipment.
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasised the importance of Israel safeguarding the UN peacekeepers during a phone call with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant. Austin also urged Israel to shift towards a diplomatic approach to protect civilians on both sides of the border.
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