A new red line crossed. The peacekeepers deployed in southern Lebanon where Israel and Hezbollah are at open war announced that two Israeli tanks had “entered by force” on Sunday into one of their positions, demanding “explanations” after five wounded in three days in their ranks. We take stock of the situation.
What happened?
“Around 4:30 a.m., while peacekeepers were in shelters, two Israeli army Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate and entered the position by force,” remaining there “about 45 minutes,” UNIFIL said. Two hours later, she adds, “shots caused smoke” which triggered “skin irritations and gastrointestinal reactions in 15 peacekeepers who were receiving care.”
“For the fourth time in four days, we remind the Israeli army and all actors of their obligation to ensure the security of UN personnel and (…) the inviolability of its positions,” indicates UNIFIL.
VideoMiddle East: UNIFIL fears a regional conflict “with catastrophic consequences”
The force, which has 10,000 men, accused Israeli troops on Thursday of firing “repeatedly” and “deliberately” on its positions, triggering a diplomatic outcry. Five peacekeepers have since been injured in attacks, according to the UN force.
The day before, “the Israeli army blocked a crucial UNIFIL logistical movement, preventing it from passing through”, adds UNIFIL, which is demanding “explanations” after “shocking violations”. Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for UNIFIL, explained on Saturday that it had recently refused to comply when “Israeli forces asked (the Blue Helmets) to leave (their) positions along the Blue Line, from the border to five kilometers of the Blue Line”.
How does Israel justify itself?
On X, the Israeli army gave its version of events. “Earlier today, a large salvo of anti-tank missiles was fired towards IDF troops in southern Lebanon. During the attack, two IDF soldiers were seriously injured and several others were lightly and moderately injured,” the IDF begins by explaining. “An initial examination showed that an IDF tank which was trying to evacuate wounded soldiers while still under fire backed up several meters into a UNIFIL post,” the army continues, according to which the tank left the UNIFIL position “once the enemy fire stopped”.
“During the incident, a smoke screen was used to cover the evacuation of injured soldiers. IDF soldiers ensured coordination with UNIFIL,” the Jewish state further specifies. According to Israel, the IDF’s activities “presented no danger to UNIFIL forces.”
Another element of context, still this Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, to put the peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) “protected immediately “. “Mr. Secretary General, take the UNIFIL forces to safety. We must do it immediately, immediately,” he declared during a filmed speech at the start of the Council of Ministers, challenging Antonio Guterres in English.
What is the international community saying?
Pope Francis called on Sunday to “respect” these peace troops, with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati denouncing “a new (Israeli) refusal to comply with international law”. Italy also spoke of possible “war crimes”.
On Saturday, US President Joe Biden asked Israel to no longer fire on UN forces in Lebanon, while his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron deemed it “unacceptable” that they were being targeted “deliberately by Israeli forces”.
