The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, issued a stern warning on Sunday that any attacks against peacekeepers in Lebanon could amount to war crimes. This statement came after Israeli tanks breached the gates of a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) base in southern Lebanon.
“UNIFIL peacekeepers remain in all positions, and the UN flag continues to fly,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. “The Secretary-General reiterates that UNIFIL personnel and premises must never be targeted. Attacks against peacekeepers are breaches of international law, including international humanitarian law, and they may constitute a war crime.”
The incident is the latest in a series of accusations against Israeli forces for violations and attacks on UNIFIL positions in recent days. On Sunday, UNIFIL reported that two Israeli tanks destroyed the main gate of one of its positions and forcibly entered the site after restricting the movement of peacekeepers the previous day.
Since September 23, the Israeli army has launched an intensive air campaign in Lebanon, dubbed “Arrows of the North,” amid escalating tensions with Hezbollah. This campaign has included attacks on UNIFIL positions, resulting in injuries to at least five peacekeepers over the past week.
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the UN chief to relocate peacekeepers deployed in southern Lebanon out of harm’s way, accusing Hezbollah of using them as “human shields.” Despite these calls, UNIFIL has consistently refused to withdraw from the border area.
“There was a unanimous decision to stay because it’s important for the UN flag to still fly high in this region and to be able to report to the Security Council,” UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti stated on Saturday.
Established by the UN Security Council in March 1978, UNIFIL’s mission is to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in regaining effective authority in the area. Following the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, UNIFIL’s mandate was expanded to monitor the cessation of hostilities and support the deployment of Lebanese armed forces throughout southern Lebanon as Israeli troops withdrew.
(With input from agencies)
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UN chief: Attacks on Lebanon peacekeepers could constitute war crimes
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