UNIFIL Condemns Israeli Attack on Peacekeeping Forces in Southern Lebanon
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) issued a condemnation on Wednesday regarding a recent attack by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on one of its positions located in southern Lebanon. The incident specifically targeted a watchtower situated near Kafer Kela, only a few kilometers from the Israeli city of Metula. An IDF Merkava tank opened fire on the UNIFIL position, damaging two surveillance cameras and causing structural harm to the tower.
In a statement released on their official website, the UN mission underscored the seriousness of the attack, highlighting that this represents a direct and seemingly intentional assault on a UNIFIL installation. They reminded the IDF and other involved parties of their obligation to protect UN personnel and property, and to uphold the sanctity of United Nations facilities.
This is not the first instance of aggression faced by UNIFIL; the mission has previously experienced attacks from the Israeli Army, with reports confirming injuries among peacekeepers and incidents involving Israeli tanks breaching UNIFIL bases. The Israeli government, however, counters that UNIFIL is being used as a human shield by Hezbollah.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah flared nearly a year ago when the militant group launched rockets into Israeli territories in support of the Palestinian cause, following violent escalations initiated by Hamas, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and numerous hostages in Israel. The subsequent Israeli military response was brutal, leading to more than 42,300 fatalities in the Gaza Strip, alongside around 750 deaths in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The recent escalation further intensified after October 1, when the Israeli Army initiated a new offensive in Lebanon, described as a selective and targeted action against what they label terrorist objectives and Hezbollah infrastructure. This military operation follows weeks of increased conflict along the border, coinciding with heightened bombardments in Beirut and various Lebanese locales.
As the situation remains precarious, UNIFIL continues to call for adherence to international laws protecting peacekeeping forces in conflict zones while emphasizing the necessity for all parties to de-escalate hostilities and seek diplomatic resolutions to safeguard civilians and international personnel alike.
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