UNIFIL sites come under Israeli attack; states, bodies slam assault

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
10 Oct 2024 17:16
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The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announces the injury of two soldiers after Israeli occupation forces struck its watchtower in Naqoura, Lebanon.

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A United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping force vehicle patrols in the southern coastal border town of Naqoura, Lebanon, June 6, 2022. (AP)

The United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that two of its soldiers were injured in South Lebanon after Israeli occupation forces opened fire on a UNIFIL observation post.

According to a statement issued by the UNIFIL, an Israeli occupation "Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura." After the direct hit on the watchtower, "two peacekeepers were injured."

Moreover, the statement noted that the IOF "fired on UN position (UNP) 1-31 in Labbouneh, hitting the entrance to the bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, and damaging vehicles and a communications system."

The statement also expressed that yesterday, October 9, the IOF "deliberately fired at and disabled the position’s perimeter-monitoring cameras" and also "deliberately fired on UNP 1-32A in Ras Naqoura, where regular Tripartite meetings were held before the conflict began, damaging lighting and a relay station."

UNIFIL further reminded Israeli occupation forces and other parties of their obligation to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property, emphasizing that any deliberate attack on peacekeeping forces constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon also reported that Israeli occupation forces had targeted a UNIFIL site in al-Labouna with heavy weapons.

Italy, Ireland protest Israeli attack on UNIFIL

Commenting on the incident, Italy protested to "Israel" after its forces opened fire on positions used by UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said on Thursday.

"The shooting at the UNIFIL headquarters" and other incidents involving "small arms fire" are "intolerable, they must be carefully and decisively avoided. For these reasons, I protested to my Israeli counterpart and the Israeli ambassador to Italy," Crosetto said in a statement.

Firing on UNIFIL bases was "totally unacceptable" and clearly flouts international law, he added.

On his part, Taoiseach Simon Harris in a statement, “The members of the Irish Defence Forces serving with Unifil, both in Camp Shamrock and in posts close to the Blue Line, were not involved and remain well,” adding, "they are continuing to carry out their mission with distinction, despite the extremely difficult circumstances."

“Firing on peacekeepers can never be tolerated or acceptable. The blue helmet worn by UN peacekeepers must be sacrosanct. They are serving on behalf of the international community in some of the most challenging places in the world. They are not combatants, and their role must be respected at all times.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the IOF action “illustrates the very high-risk environment and the dangerous environment that peacekeepers are now operating in and the need for an immediate ceasefire”.

The Tánaiste said in the Dáil, “Israel is not listening to its allies in terms of progressing its agenda” and “seems to be [at] all out war." He added it was “unacceptable, the nature of destructive warfare today, where an entire community from health to education gets destroyed” and it is “a clear breach of international humanitarian law."

France said it was waiting for explanations from "Israel" over the incident 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."

On his part, Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, slammed the Israeli attack onUNIFIl as "another line" that "has been dangerously crossed in Lebanon."

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.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) October 10, 2024

"We condemn this inadmissible act, for which there is no justification," he affirmed, reiterating the EU's full support to UNIFIL, its UNSC-mandated mission, and its troops.

UNIFIL warns any Israeli 'crossing into Lebanon' violates sovereignty

The UN peacekeeping force in South Lebanon cautioned on Tuesday that any incursions into the country would violate its sovereignty, following "Israel's" announcement of a "limited ground operation."

"Any crossing into Lebanon is in violation of Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a violation of resolution 1701. We urge all actors to step back from such escalatory acts, which will only lead to more violence and more bloodshed," UNIFIL stated.

In a related context, the United Nations expressed concern as "Israel" planned a ground invasion in Lebanon under the pretext of targeting Hezbollah, warning against the potential for a "large-scale ground invasion."

"With armed violence between Israel and Hezbollah boiling over, the consequences for civilians have already been terrible -- and we fear a large-scale ground invasion by Israel into Lebanon would only result in greater suffering," Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the UN rights office, told reporters in Geneva.