The Israeli Prime Minister has told the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to evacuate their peacekeepers from the so called “danger zone” in southern Lebanon.
Benyamin Netanyahu told the United Nation’s Secretary General Antonio Guterres, “Your refusal to evacuate the UNIFIL soldiers makes them hostages of Hezbollah.
“It is time for you to remove UNIFIL from Hezbollah’s strongholds and from the fighting areas.”
Netanyahu said the Israeli military has repeatedly told UNIFIL to leave, but they have refused, which “endangers both them and the lives of our soldiers.”
Since 1978 UNIFIL have been operating in Lebanon following Israels invasion and has 800 civilians and more than 10,000 troops from around 50 countries.
There job is to reduce tensions and keep calm on what is called the “blue line,” this separated Lebanon from Israel including the Israeli occupied Golan Heights.
Five peacekeepers have been hurt since the conflict started between Hezbollah and Israel last Thursday in four attacks conducted by Israeli forces.
Netanyahu told the UN Israeli forces are doing “everything” to prevent injury, adding, “Mr secretary general, get the UNIFIL forces out of harm’s way. It should be done right now, immediately.”
UNIFIL has warned Israel against such attacks on their peacekeepers after breaching their positions.
Israeli tanks “forcibly entered” a UNIFIL position and demanded the UN “turn out its lights,” the refused and “protested” then they left after being told they are endangering their personnel.
UNIFIL said some rounds emitting smoke caused 15 peacekeepers close to their base suffering from “gastrointestinal reactions” along with skin irritation, it is not known who fired the rounds.
UNIFIL said that three Israeli platoons were seen crossing the “blue line” on Sunday. Any unauthorised crossing of the blue line is a violation of Security Council resolution 1701.
UNIFIL said in a statement, “For the fourth time in as many days, we remind the IDF [Israel Defence 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.
“Breaching and entering a UN position is a further flagrant violation of international law and Resolution 1701.
“Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and Resolution 1701.”
The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told Netanyahu that the attacks on UN peacekeepers is “unacceptable” and urged for de-escalation in the Middle East.
“Prime Minister Meloni reiterated the unacceptability of UNIFIL being attacked by Israeli armed forces,” the Italian government said in a statement.
