ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - UN peacekeepers on Sunday said Israeli troops entered one of their positions in southern Lebanon and blocked their movements, describing the Israeli army’s move as "shocking violations" against their force.
"At around 4:30 am, while peacekeepers were in shelters, two IDF [Israeli military] Merkava tanks destroyed the position's main gate and forcibly entered the position" in the Ramia area, UNIFIL said, after on Saturday Israeli soldiers "stopped a critical UNIFIL logistical movement near Mais al-Jabal, denying it passage.”
"We have requested an explanation from the IDF for these shocking violations," UNIFIL said.
Sunday’s developments came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the UN to “immediately” evacuate its peacekeeping mission from Lebanon, and get them “out of harm’s way.”
The prime minister of Lebanon condemned Netanyahu’s call for the removal of the UNIFIL peacekeepers from the border regions of southern Lebanon, where clashes have intensified between the Israeli military and Hezbollah.
Lebanon "condemns Netanyahu's position and the Israeli aggression against UNIFIL" peacekeepers, said Najib Mikati. "The warning that Netanyahu addressed to... Guterres demanding the removal of the UNIFIL represents a new chapter in the enemy's approach of not complying with international" norms, he added.
At least five UN peacekeepers have been injured in recent days as a result of Israeli attacks near their observation posts in southern Lebanon, sparking global outcry.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and several Western nations condemned the attacks. In a statement, the UNIFIL called the situation a “serious development” and emphasized the need to ensure the security of its personnel and assets.
France summoned the Israeli ambassador in response to the incident. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said he urged his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant to ensure the safety of UNIFIL personnel in Lebanon.
Russia expressed its outrage over the attacks and demanded that Israel refrain from “hostile actions” against peacekeeping forces.
Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday joined the international community in strongly condemning the Israeli attack on UNIFIL.
Sunday’s escalations between Israeli and the UN peacekeeping forces coincided with ongoing clashes between the Israeli military and Hezbollah near southern border villages of Lebanon.
"During an attempt by an Israeli enemy infantry force to infiltrate the village of Al-Qawzah from the southern side at 13:15 (1015 GMT)" Hezbollah fighters "clashed with them using machine guns and the clashes are still ongoing," the group said in a statement.
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