Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on UN peacekeepers to “temporarily leave the combat zone” and said accusations that Israel had deliberately attacked UNIFIL personnel were “completely false.”
advertisementIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, to “temporarily leave the combat zone,” claiming “accusations that Israel deliberately attacked UNIFIL personnel are completely false.”
Since the Israeli military began ground operations in Lebanon, it has repeatedly opened fire on UN peacekeepers, drawing growing criticism from the international community.
Netanyahu said Israel had “repeatedly asked” peacekeepers in southern Lebanon to leave areas where Israeli forces were operating. The 10,000-strong UN interim force in Lebanon has been patrolling the border between Lebanon and Israel for nearly 50 years.
At least five UNIFIL members have been wounded since Israel launched a ground invasion of Lebanon two weeks ago, leading to criticism of the Israeli operation.
UNIFIL’s secretary-general said UN peacekeepers would remain on Lebanon’s southern border despite Israel’s request.
UN: Attack on peacekeepers could be a war crime
“Attacks on peacekeepers violate international law, including international humanitarian law, and may amount to war crimes,” Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told reporters on Monday.
Guterres called on all parties, including the IDF, to “refrain from any actions that endanger peacekeepers.”
The UN Security Council expressed “strong concern” and reiterated support for the role of peacekeeping missions “in support of regional security.” All 15 Committee members firmly supported UNIFIL’s presence in southern Lebanon, emphasizing UNIFIL’s determination to retain all positions.
Members of Congress also expressed “deep concern” about civilian casualties, destruction of infrastructure and rising numbers of refugees. They called on all parties to comply with international humanitarian law, which requires the protection of civilians.
The Security Council “also emphasized the need for diplomatic efforts to bring a permanent end to the conflict and ensure that civilians on both sides of the Blue Line can return home safely.”
