The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has reported violations by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) against its personnel and positions in southern Lebanon.
In a statement posted on social media platform X yesterday, UNIFIL detailed the incident: “Early this morning, peacekeepers at a UN position in Ramyah observed three platoons of IDF soldiers crossing the Blue Line into Lebanon.”
The statement continued, “At around 4:30 a.m., while peacekeepers were in shelters, two IDF Merkava tanks destroyed the position’s main gate and forcibly entered the position. They requested multiple times that the base turn out its lights.”
The attack led to injuries among 15 peacekeepers, with several suffering from skin irritation due to smoke from shells fired at the site. UNIFIL described the incursion as a shocking violation and has sought clarification from the Israeli military.
The statement noted that the Israeli troops left the site 45 minutes later, following protests from UNIFIL through their liaison mechanism, highlighting that the IDF’s presence was putting peacekeepers at risk.
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the immediate withdrawal of UNIFIL forces from southern Lebanon. In a televised address, Netanyahu urged UN Secretary-General António Guterres to remove UNIFIL from Hezbollah strongholds and combat zones, stating that their continued presence jeopardises both the peacekeepers and Israeli soldiers.
Netanyahu claimed that UNIFIL had previously ignored Israel’s requests for withdrawal, alleging that Hezbollah uses the peacekeepers as human shields. He asserted that the ongoing presence of UNIFIL troops makes them hostages to Hezbollah and endangers their lives and those of Israeli soldiers.
In response, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati rejected Netanyahu’s call, reaffirming Lebanon’s commitment to UN Resolution 1701 and UNIFIL’s role in maintaining peace. Mikati also urged the international community to take a strong stance against what he described as Israel’s ongoing aggression towards Lebanon.