Israeli forces fire at United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon
“UNITThe headquarters in Naqoura and nearby positions were repeatedly attacked”, the UN delegation said in a statement. “This morning, two peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank opened fire towards the observation tower at UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, hitting the observation tower and causing them to fall.
“Thankfully, the injury this time was not serious, but I still had to stay in the hospital.”
UN peacekeepers are in southern Lebanon to support the return of stability under a 2006 agreement Security Council authority. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and Security Council resolution 1701according to UNIFIL, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
Read our explanation of resolution 1701 This.
Many attacks
According to the United Nations peacekeeping mission, the recent escalation along the Green Line is causing widespread destruction of towns and villages in southern Lebanon, while rockets continue to be launched towards Israeli side, including civilian areas.
ABOVE UNIFIL said on Wednesday IDF soldiers deliberately shot and disabled the position’s perimeter surveillance camera.added that the IDF also intentionally fired at UNP 1-32A, where regular trilateral meetings were held before the conflict began, damaging lighting systems and a relay station.
“In recent days, we have witnessed incursions from Israel into Lebanon in Naqoura and other areas,” the UN mission said. “IDF soldiers clashed with Hezbollah elements on the ground in Lebanon.”
IDF soldiers also fired at UN position 1-31 in Ras Naqoura, hitting the entrance to a bunker where peacekeepers were holed up and damaging vehicles and communications systems.
An IDF drone was observed flying inside the UN position up to the bunker entrance.
“We remind the IDF and all stakeholders of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and assets, while always respecting the inviolability of facilities of the United Nations.”, said the United Nations delegation.
“We are following up with the IDF on these issues.”
