The peacekeeping mission of the United Nations in southern Lebanon has stated that the Israeli military’s actions amount to “deliberate and direct destruction” of its assets, constituting a “flagrant violation” of international law.
UNIFIL, comprising 10,000 personnel, is deployed in southern Lebanon to oversee conflicts along the ‘blue line’ that divides Lebanon from Israel.
This contingent includes 340 personnel from Ireland.
Following Israel’s ground campaign against Hezbollah fighters that commenced at the end of September, UNIFIL has repeatedly accused the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) of intentionally targeting its bases, which includes shooting at peacekeepers and demolishing observation towers.
The IDF has claimed that UN troops serve as a human shield for Hezbollah fighters and has requested UNIFIL to vacate southern Lebanon for its own safety—an appeal that the peacekeeping force has declined.
In its most recent accusation, UNIFIL reported that the IDF utilized excavators and a bulldozer to destroy portions of a fence and a concrete structure at a peacekeeping site in southern Lebanon as of yesterday.
Peacekeepers also witnessed Israeli troops this week removing a barrel that signifies the ‘blue line’.
Statement:
Yesterday, two IDF excavators and one IDF bulldozer caused damage to a fence and a concrete structure at a UNIFIL position in Ras Naqoura. Upon issuing an urgent protest, the IDF denied undertaking any activities within the UNIFIL premises. pic.twitter.com/gQm02hjNTG
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) November 8, 2024
UNIFIL remarked, “The IDF’s deliberate and direct destruction of clearly identifiable UNIFIL property is a flagrant violation of international law and resolution 1701,” referencing a UN resolution that calls for an end to hostilities in southern Lebanon post a previous conflict.
“Yesterday’s incident, akin to seven other similar occurrences, is not simply an instance of peacekeepers being caught in crossfire, but rather deliberate and direct actions by the IDF,” UNIFIL emphasized.
The UN force affirmed its intention to remain in Lebanon “despite the unacceptable pressures being exerted on the mission.”
No immediate remark was made by the Israeli military.
This announcement followed a day after an Israeli drone strike wounded six Malaysian peacekeepers on a UN bus passing through a checkpoint, which also resulted in the deaths of three individuals in a nearby Lebanese vehicle.
In a separate incident, the Israeli military reported the discovery of a Hezbollah training facility located approximately 200 meters from a UNIFIL base in southern Lebanon, which was said to contain educational materials and a significant stockpile of weapons.
The facility, according to the IDF, was destroyed and included launchers that were prepared to target Israeli communities.
A spokesperson for UNIFIL stated that the Israeli military did not provide any details regarding the alleged Hezbollah installation.
Israel has accused UNIFIL of ignoring the developments of a Hezbollah tunnel network and infrastructure built near the border with northern Israel for over ten years, often within the vicinity of UNIFIL bases.
Israel claims this infrastructure is part of a Hezbollah strategy to launch an assault on Israel, similar to the attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023.
A UNIFIL spokesperson indicated that the force has consistently alerted the UN Security Council about suspicious sites.
However, the council has not requested UNIFIL to disarm any non-state armed factions, including Hezbollah, according to the spokesperson.
