UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Oct. 13 reiterated that the safety and security of UN personnel and property must be guaranteed, following the deliberate breach of a UN peacekeeping position by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) armored vehicles in southern Lebanon, the UN News reported.
The incident took place early on Sunday morning (local time), when two IDF Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate and forcibly entered the position, according to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon. About two hours later, after the tanks had left, several rounds were fired nearby, emitting smoke that affected the peacekeepers inside.
These developments followed several security incidents targeting peacekeepers over recent days. According to UNIFIL, five peacekeepers have been injured, UN positions and premises damaged, and critical Mission movements disrupted.
“The Secretary-General reiterates that the safety and security of UN personnel and property must be guaranteed and that the inviolability of UN premises must be respected at all times without qualification,” the UN chief’s Spokesperson said in a statement.
Secretary-General António Guterres also paid tribute to the dedicated personnel of UNIFIL, adding that “peacekeepers remain in all positions and the UN flag continues to fly.”
The statement further noted that UNIFIL “continuously assesses and reviews” all factors to determine its posture and presence, and that it is taking all possible measures to ensure the protection of its peacekeepers.
“UNIFIL’s role and its presence in southern Lebanon is mandated by the UN Security Council,” the statement continued, adding “in this context, UNIFIL is committed to preserving its capacity to support a diplomatic solution based on resolution 1701, which is the only possible way forward.”
Established by the Security Council, UNIFIL is tasked with monitoring the cessation of hostilities following the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and assisting the Lebanese government in restoring its authority in the area.
The Secretary-General emphasized that UNIFIL personnel and its premises must never be targeted, the UN News reported.
“Attacks against peacekeepers are in breach of international law, including international humanitarian law. They may constitute a war crime,” the statement noted.
The Secretary-General further called on all parties, including the IDF, “to refrain from any and all actions” that put UN peacekeepers at risk.
He also renewed the call for a cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) tanks forcibly entered a United Nations position in southern Lebanon early Sunday morning, with UN peacekeepers at the same location also “suffering effects” from smoke after several rounds were fired in its vicinity, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has reported.
According to the Mission, at about 04:30 (local time), while peacekeepers were in shelters, two IDF Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate and entered the position.
“They requested multiple times that the base turn out its lights,” UNIFIL said in a statement. The tanks left about 45 minutes later after the Mission protested through its liaison mechanism, saying that IDF presence was putting peacekeepers in danger.
At around 06:40, peacekeepers at the same position reported the firing of several rounds 100 metres (about 110 yards) north, which emitted smoke.
“Despite putting on protective masks, fifteen peacekeepers suffered effects, including skin irritation and gastrointestinal reactions, after the smoke entered the camp,” UNIFIL reported.
Established by the UN Security Council, UNIFIL is tasked with monitoring the cessation of hostilities following the war between Israel and Hezbollah, confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and assisting the Lebanese government in restoring its authority in the area.
Sunday’s developments come amid heightened tensions in the region, where five UN peacekeepers have been injured, and UN positions and premises sustained damage.
This included a peacekeeper at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, who was hit by gunfire on Friday night amid nearby military activity. The bullet was removed successfully after surgery, but the origin of the fire was not known, according to the Mission. Also that night, buildings in the UNIFIL position in Ramyah “sustained significant damage” due to explosions from nearby shelling.
On Saturday, IDF soldiers stopped a critical UNIFIL logistical movement near Meiss ej Jebel, denying it passage and preventing its completion.
“For the fourth time in as many days, we remind the IDF and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times,” UNIFIL said.
Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers and breaching and entering a UN position are grave violations of international law and Security Council resolution 1701 (2006), the Mission stressed.
