Israel accused of deliberately attacking UN forces in Lebanon

United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (Photo: AFP),

An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) tank fired on a United Nations peacekeeping outpost in southern Lebanon, damaging a watchtower and destroying surveillance equipment, UNIFIL said in a statement on October 16.

The peacekeepers accused the incident of appearing to be another "targeted" attack by the IDF, calling on the Israeli military to "respect the inviolability of United Nations premises at all times".

"This morning, peacekeepers at a position near Kafer Kela observed an IDF Merkava tank firing at their watchtower. Two cameras were destroyed and the watchtower was damaged. Once again, we saw direct and apparently targeted fire on a UNIFIL position," the statement read.

UN peacekeepers have repeatedly accused Israel of attacking their positions in southern Lebanon amid escalating tensions between Tel Aviv and the militant group Hezbollah. The attacks have damaged UNIFIL facilities and injured several peacekeepers.

UNIFIL was originally established in 1978 to oversee the Israeli withdrawal across the Green Line separating Lebanon from Israel and the Tel Aviv-controlled Syrian Golan Heights.

UNIFIL currently has about 10,000 troops from some 50 countries. The force is tasked with ensuring that neither Israel nor Hezbollah maintains a military presence between the Green Line and the Litani River.

Israel has accused the peacekeepers of acting as a “human shield” for Hezbollah. Over the weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to withdraw all UNIFIL troops from southern Lebanon.

However, so far, the peacekeepers have refused to leave their positions in the area. Israel's move has been criticized by many Western officials, especially by some countries sending forces to UNIFIL.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/israel-bi-cao-buoc-co-y-tan-cong-vao-luc-luong-lien-hop-quoc-o-li-bang-20241017070856167.htm