Israel 'demolished' watchtower in latest attack on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon

UNIFIL claims that Israeli forces “deliberately” damaged one of its positions in southern Lebanon.

United Nations peacekeeping forces in Lebanon said the Israeli army “deliberately” damaged one of its positions in southern Lebanon, in the latest incident reported by the force which remains deployed in all its positions.

An “Israeli army bulldozer deliberately demolished an observation tower and perimeter fence of a UN position” in southern Lebanon, the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a statement, adding that its forces remain in all positions “despite the pressure exerted”.

“We remind (Israeli forces) and all actors of their obligations to ensure the security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN facilities at all times,” the statement said.

He called on Israel to stop violating UN positions, which is considered “a flagrant violation of international law.”

Israel recently alleged that the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah was attacking Israel from positions located in the vicinity of UN peacekeeping posts in southern Lebanon – an accusation Hezbollah denies.

On Wednesday, UNIFIL said an Israeli tank fired at one of its watchtowers in southern Lebanon.

This came after UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon were attacked several times days earlier, with at least four soldiers injured.

Last week, UNIFIL said two Israeli tanks “destroyed” the main gate of one of its positions in southern Lebanon and “entered that position by force.”

Israel has fired on several UNIFIL frontline positions since it launched a ground incursion into southern Lebanon in early October, claiming it aims to dismantle the infrastructure of Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Lebanese group that has been negotiating fire with the army. Israeli in solidarity. with the Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel’s attacks were widely condemned, including by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said attacks on UN peacekeepers were a violation of international law and “may constitute a war crime.”

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he demands that Guterres withdraw UNIFIL troops from “combat zones,” claiming that their presence was providing a “human shield” to Hezbollah.

But the UN says the mission – with members from 50 countries – is not going anywhere.

UNIFIL has been monitoring the border region between Israel and Lebanon since 1978. More than 10,000 soldiers from more than 50 countries have been deployed for the mission.

Netanyahu has been pushing for the removal of UN peacekeepers as Israel steps up its attacks in southern Lebanon.