Israeli forces reportedly fired a tank shell at a watchtower used by UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon on Wednesday, one of three cases in the last 24 hours of the peacekeeping force’s positions coming under Israeli fire, a UN source told Reuters.
Two Indonesian peacekeepers with the UNIFIL peacekeeping force were injured, but not seriously, after the watchtower at the force’s main base in Naqoura was fired upon, the source said.
“Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law,” UNIFIL said in a statement, adding that it was following up with the Israeli military.
“We remind the IDF 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,” the statement continued. “UNIFIL peacekeepers are present in south Lebanon to support a return to stability under Security Council mandate. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council resolution 1701.”
Israeli forces fired on two positions used by UN peacekeepers in Lebanon on Thursday and at a third one on Wednesday, the UN force said, injuring two of its peacekeepers.
Members of the United Nations peacekeepers (UNIFIL) stand together at the church square on Good Friday in the town of Klayaa, southern Lebanon, March 29, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/KARAMALLAH DAHER)
Israel is focused on fighting Hezbollah and recommends that the United Nations peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon move north, Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon said on Thursday after Israeli forces fired on several UN positions.
“Our recommendation is that UNIFIL relocate 5 km (3 miles) north to avoid danger as fighting intensifies and while the situation along the Blue Line remains volatile as a result of Hezbollah’s aggression,” Danon said in a statement.
He said that “Israel has no desire to be in Lebanon, but it will do what is necessary” to force Hezbollah away from its northern border so 70,000 residents can return to their homes in northern Israel.
International reactions
Italy subsequently protested to Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said on Thursday. He summoned the ambassador to Italy to account for the incident, according to Politico reports that sited a government official.
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Firing on UNIFIL bases was “totally unacceptable” and clearly flouts international law, Crosetto added in a statement.
Further, Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell Fontelles reacted on X/Twitter, calling the incident an “inadmissable act.”
Another line has been dangerously crossed in Lebanon: IDF shelling of @UN peacekeepers whose positions are known. We condemn this inadmissible act, for which there is no justification. The EU reiterates its full support to @UNIFIL_ , to its UNSC-mandated mission & its troops.
France said it was waiting for explanations from Israel after UN peacekeeping troops were targeted in Lebanon on Thursday and that it was an obligation to ensure their safety.
“France expresses its deep concern following the Israeli shots that hit the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and condemns any attack on the security of UNIFIL,” the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that none of its 700 troops in the mission had been wounded.
“We await explanations from the Israeli authorities. The protection of peacekeepers is an obligation that applies to all parties to a conflict.”
IDF response
The IDF is operating in southern Lebanon and maintains routine communication with UNIFIL, the military said in a statement on Thursday evening.
Confirming that IDF troops operated in the area of Naqoura, next to a UNIFIL base, the IDF said it instructed the UN forces in the area to remain in protected spaces, following which the forces opened fire in the area.
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