UN under fire in Lebanon: Israeli tank fired at peacekeepers' watchtower

By richardbrown // 2024-10-18

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United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon reported that Israeli forces conducted a "direct and deliberate" attack on one of their positions, damaging a watchtower. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced that peacekeepers near Kfar Kila witnessed an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Merkava main battle tank firing at their watchtower, destroying two surveillance cameras and causing structural damage to the tower. This incident is only the latest in a troubling pattern of deliberate Israeli actions targeting UN peacekeepers amid the country's intensified military operations in southern Lebanon that have led to at least 20 UNIFIL peacekeepers being injured by Israeli attacks. Prior to this incident, UNIFIL reported on Sunday, Oct. 13, that Israeli troops "forcibly entered" a UNIFIL position near the southern Lebanese village of Ramyah and crossed the UN-mandated Blue Line, which serves as the de facto border between Israel and Lebanon. Following this, Israeli forces fired smoke rounds in the vicinity of peacekeepers, causing skin irritation and gastrointestinal issues for 15 personnel. UNIFIL also highlighted that Israeli troops obstructed critical logistical movements near Meiss el-Jabal on Saturday, Oct. 12, further complicating humanitarian efforts. In a statement, UNIFIL reminded the IDF and other actors of their obligations to protect UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises. Meanwhile, the IDF has continued its operations in southern Lebanon. Reports indicate that at least 16 individuals were killed in an Israeli strike on a municipal building in Nabatieh on Wednesday, Oct. 16, including several local officials. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that since Oct. 8, Israel has killed 2,367 people and injured 11,109. (Related: Israel laying claim to southern Lebanon as IDF plants Israeli flags on non-Israeli territory.)

UN urges Israel to protect peacekeepers

The UN Security Council has urged Israel to safeguard peacekeepers amid rising international condemnation of the violence. On Oct. 9, a coalition of 16 European Union nations contributing to UNIFIL called for revised rules of engagement, asserting the need for more effective measures in light of recent attacks. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto emphasized that the message to Israel is clear. If military operations cease, UN forces could adjust their approach to achieve peaceful outcomes without violence. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) expressed "particularly grave concerns" regarding Israel's recent attacks on UN peacekeepers, affirming its support for the Lebanese people and condemning the escalation of violence. Concerns for the safety of UN peacekeeping forces are escalating. UN Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix warned that ongoing hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah pose increasingly serious risks to peacekeepers. He described the situation as "alarming" and stressed that the safety and security of peacekeepers are now in jeopardy. In its defense, the IDF has claimed, without evidence, that Hezbollah is deliberately operating in proximity to UNIFIL positions to use them as human shields, and stated that it had communicated with UN forces to remain in protected spaces during Israeli operations. Watch this short clip of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denying that the IDF attacked UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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UN urges Israel to protect peacekeepers

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