Israeli troops illegally cross ‘blue line’ and ‘forcefully entered’ UNIFIL ‘premises’ in Lebanon – London Business News

The Israeli prime minister has told the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to evacuate its peacekeepers from the so-called “danger zone” in southern Lebanon.

Benyamin Netanyahu told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: “Your refusal to evacuate UNIFIL soldiers makes them hostages of Hezbollah.

“It is time for you to withdraw UNIFIL from Hezbollah strongholds and combat zones.”

Netanyahu said the Israeli military has repeatedly told UNIFIL to leave, but they have refused, which “endangers both their lives and the lives of our soldiers.”

Since 1978, UNIFIL has been operating in Lebanon after Israel’s invasion and has 800 civilians and more than 10,000 soldiers from around 50 countries.

The job is to reduce tensions and maintain calm over the so-called “blue line,” which separates Lebanon from Israel, including the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Five peacekeepers have been injured since the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel began last Thursday in four attacks carried out by Israeli forces.

Netanyahu told Israeli UN forces that they are doing “everything” to avoid injuries, adding: “Mr. Secretary-General, get the UNIFIL forces out of harm’s way. It must be done right now, immediately.” .

UNIFIL has warned Israel against such attacks against its peacekeepers after breaching their positions.

Israeli tanks “forced their way into” a UNIFIL position and demanded the UN “turn off their lights”, refused and “protested” and then left after being told they were endangering your staff

UNIFIL said some smoke-emitting rounds caused 15 peacekeepers near its base to suffer “gastrointestinal reactions” along with skin irritation, it is not known who fired the rounds.

UNIFIL said three Israeli platoons were seen crossing the “blue line” on Sunday. Any unauthorized crossing of the blue line is a violation of Security Council resolution 1701.

UNIFIL said in a statement: “For the fourth time in as many days, we remind the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN facilities at all times.

“Breaching and entering a UN position is a most flagrant violation of international law and Resolution 1701.

“Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and Resolution 1701.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told Netanyahu that attacks on UN peacekeepers are “unacceptable” and urged de-escalation in the Middle East.

“Prime Minister Meloni reiterated the unacceptability of UNIFIL being attacked by the Israeli armed forces,” the Italian government said in a statement.