Lebanese Foreign Ministry thanks UNIFIL, condemns Israeli attacks

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
21 Oct 2024 14:28

The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates demands that "Israel" evacuate its positions, underscoring that these repeated attacks on UNIFIL represent a violation of international law.

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UN Peacekeepers (UNIFIL) seen along the Lebanese side of the border with occupied Palestine, on Thursday, July 6, 2023. (AP)

The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates issued a condemnation on Monday regarding the ongoing Israeli aggression on UNIFIL centers and personnel. The ministry demanded that "Israel" evacuate UNIFIL positions, highlighting the repeated attacks as a violation of international law and humanitarian principles.

The ministry emphasized that "these assaults constitute a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and could amount to a war crime."

In its statement, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry highlighted that the ongoing Israeli attacks on UNIFIL centers and personnel are indicative of a broader policy by "Israel" to disregard the implementation of United Nations resolutions.

The ministry specifically referenced the failure to comply with the directives of the UN General Assembly and the Security Council, emphasizing that these assaults reflect a deliberate refusal to adhere to Resolution 1701, which calls for the cessation of hostilities and the establishment of peace in the region.

Lebanese ministry expresses gratitude to UNIFIL for its role in maintaining Peace

The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants also expressed its sincere gratitude to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and its deep appreciation for the role it has played since its establishment in 1978, both in leadership and among military and administrative personnel, in maintaining security and peace in southern Lebanon. It highlighted UNIFIL's contribution to development in local communities, which helps build stability in the region and keeps citizens in their homes.

Furthermore, the ministry extended its heartfelt thanks to the governments of countries participating in these forces, which have spared no effort in supporting UNIFIL's mission, whether through deploying troops and peacekeepers or providing the necessary logistical and material support to ensure the success of its mission.

It noted that "these countries share Lebanon's belief in the principles of the United Nations and its role in promoting international peace and security."

Additionally, the ministry called on the international community to take a firm stance in support of UNIFIL, ensuring its continued operations without exposure to threats or attacks on its security and safety.

The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants urged the international community to condemn "Israel" for its aggressive actions and called for an immediate ceasefire.

Israeli forces deliberately targeted UNIFIL bases: Official

"The Israeli Army's targeting of UNIFIL forces was deliberate, unlike what Israeli officials are saying," UNIFIL spokesperson in Lebanon Andrea Tenenti confirmed on Friday, stressing that "Israel" targeted the forces several times, five of which were intentional.

According to Tenenti, the watchtower in Naqoura was directly targeted, resulting in the injury of two peacekeeping forces. The IOF also targeted the communication systems and cameras, and entered one of UNIFIL's locations a few days ago, staying there for 45 minutes.

All of these incidents were deliberate, Tenenti added, emphasizing that not only do they violate resolution 1701, but international law as well.

In a press conference of UN journalists in Geneva, the spokesperson revealed that peacekeeping forces are forced to stay in shelters for long durations due to the violent bombing.

"The Israeli side requested that we move from some positions along the Blue Line. We have about 29 sites very close to the Blue Line, within a distance of 5 km, but we decided not to move because it is important for the United Nations flag to remain raised there. We are at these locations at the request of the Security Council and the international community," he said.

He further stressed that UNIFIL needs to remain in Lebanon, and "the morale of the peacekeeping forces is still very high."

He also revealed that UNIFIL forces found traces of potential white phosphorus use near one of their bases in Lebanon several months ago.

On another note, Tenenti described the situation of Lebanese residents in southern Lebanon as "extremely tragic". He noted that about 450,000 people have migrated to the north, most of the villages along the Blue Line have been completely destroyed, and severe damage has brought ruin to entire southern villages.

He emphasized that delivering aid to these villages has become an urgent matter and a major challenge due to ongoing bombings and airstrikes targeting villages in the south, and "because we often do not receive guarantees against the targeting of aid convoys, which significantly limits our ability to coordinate with humanitarian organizations."

EU, GCC voice concerns about 'Israel' attacks on UNIFIL

The European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued a joint statement on Wednesday, condemning recent Israeli attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and expressing grave concerns about escalating violence in light of the Israeli onslaught on Lebanon.

"We are extremely concerned by the dangerous escalation in Lebanon and affirm our support for the Lebanese people," said the EU and GCC, following their first summit in Brussels. The statement saw the two blocs condemn any attacks on UN personnel, though it expressed "particularly grave concerns" over the recent attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.

In one of the latest acts of aggression against the UNIFIL, Israeli tanks made an incursion into one of the peacekeepers' positions after having fired at them earlier in the week and used them as human shields against the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon.

On Wednesday, UN troops in Lebanon reported that Israeli occupation forces (IOF) shot at one of their locations in South Lebanon.

Peacekeepers in the southern town of Kfar Kila saw an IOF tank "firing at their watchtower," UNIFIL stated, adding that "two cameras were destroyed, and the tower was damaged" in what the force described as "direct and apparently deliberate fire on a UNIFIL position."