Amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a direct appeal to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, urging him to withdraw UN peacekeepers from southern Lebanon. This call comes after a series of events that have heightened concerns for the safety of UNIFIL, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
In recent days, five UNIFIL members sustained injuries from Israeli fire, prompting Netanyahu to express his concerns for the peacekeepers’ well-being. He has accused Hezbollah of using UNIFIL as a human shield, claiming that Israeli forces’ requests for the peacekeepers to relocate were repeatedly denied.
“Mr. Secretary General, get the UNIFIL forces out of harm’s way. It should be done right now, immediately,” Netanyahu declared in a video statement, underscoring the urgency of his plea. He asserted that the UNIFIL’s refusal to evacuate puts both the peacekeepers and Israeli soldiers at risk, emphasizing the need to remove them from the danger zone.
However, UNIFIL has firmly rejected the demands for relocation, emphasizing its commitment to remain in southern Lebanon. “There was a unanimous decision to stay because it’s important for the UN flag to still fly high in this region, and to be able to report to the Security Council,” UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti explained.
Tenenti confirmed that Israel had requested UNIFIL’s withdrawal from positions situated within a 5-kilometer radius of the Blue Line separating the two countries, but the peacekeepers maintained their presence, including at their 29 positions in southern Lebanon.
UNIFIL, a peacekeeping force comprising approximately 9,500 personnel from various nations, was established in 1978 with the mission of monitoring the ceasefire that ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
In a joint statement, 40 nations contributing to the peacekeeping force in Lebanon strongly condemned the recent attacks on UNIFIL members, demanding an immediate end to such actions and a thorough investigation. This statement, signed by leading contributors like Indonesia, Italy, and India, underscores the international community’s concern over the escalating situation and the need for a peaceful resolution.
