The United Nations warns of disaster in the Middle East

Tensions escalated at the Lebanon-Israel border when, early on October 13, the Israeli army sent tanks to illegally enter the United Nations Peacekeeping Force (UNIFIL) stationed in southern Lebanon. In the context of widespread conflict in the Middle East, on October 13, 40 countries sending troops to UNIFIL strongly protested the attacks on the Peacekeeping Force.

Ensuring the safety of UNIFIL staff

According to UNIFIL, two Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate and entered the UNIFIL base in the Ramia area. The tanks remained for about 45 minutes before withdrawing. The incident occurred while the peacekeepers were in shelters.

Israeli soldiers of the 36th Division operate in southern Lebanon. Photo: TIMES OF ISRAEL

UNIFIL strongly condemned this action, saying it was a serious violation of UN Security Council resolutions. UNIFIL demanded an explanation from Israel for this illegal act. A day earlier, Israeli soldiers also blocked an important UNIFIL logistics convoy near Mais al-Jabal, refusing to allow it to pass.

The incident comes amid escalating fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah forces in the border area. UNIFIL said its headquarters in Naqoura and surrounding areas had been attacked several times recently. At least five UNIFIL soldiers have been injured since the conflict began.

UNIFIL currently has about 9,500 soldiers from many countries, with the task of monitoring the 2006 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. In the same year, the Security Council (UNSC) issued Resolution 1701 stipulating that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeeping forces could be deployed in southern Lebanon. According to UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti, the conflict has caused severe damage to UNIFIL bases. Mr. Tenenti warned of the risk of a regional conflict disaster, in the context of the Israeli army attacking Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip on two fronts, and affirmed that there is no military solution to the current situation.

According to statistics from the Lebanese Ministry of Health , Israeli airstrikes targeting three villages outside Hezbollah bases killed at least 15 people on October 12.

New escalation phase

According to a recent article on the russiancouncil.ru website of the Russian Council on International Affairs, the year-long low-intensity conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has entered a new phase of escalation.

For the past year, Israel has maintained a reactive approach to Hezbollah attacks without taking any proactive action until recent Israeli strikes on Hezbollah positions. In late August, the IDF conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon to deter a possible Hezbollah attack in response to the assassination of commander Fuad Shukr. Hezbollah responded by launching a massive rocket attack on Israeli territory. Israel announced the start of a limited ground operation in Lebanon. A day later, Iran responded by firing 180 missiles at Israel. Since then, the possibility of a large-scale conflict has increased.

These events have raised legitimate concerns about the possibility of all-out war and have significantly increased tensions, threatening not only Lebanon’s internal security but also the stability of the entire region. Such an uncontrolled escalation could lead to a chain reaction affecting neighboring countries and potentially drawing them into conflict.

Synthesized HINGED CHI

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/lien-hop-quoc-canh-bao-tham-hoa-o-trung-dong-post763499.html