According to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFILEarly Wednesday morning (local time), peacekeepers in position near Kafer Kela observed an IDF Merkava tank firing at their observation tower.
Two cameras were destroyed and the tower was damaged.
“Once again we see direct and apparently deliberate fire on a UNIFIL position,” the mission said in one statement.
“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 sanctity of UN buildings at all times,it emphasized.
Various security incidents
Wednesday’s developments come against the backdrop of several worrying incidents in recent days in which a total of five peacekeepers were injured.
In addition, 15 peacekeepers are present on Sunday past by “smoke effects”, after the IDF fired several bullets about 100 meters from their position, which were intentional violated about two hours earlier on the same day.
Several UN positions have been damaged and cameras and lights have been destroyed.
Top UN officials, including the Secretary General, expressed concern about the situation. repetitive that the safety and security of UN personnel and property “must be guaranteed” and that the sanctity of UN buildings “must be respected without reservation at all times”.
He too warned that attacks on peacekeepers violate international law and may constitute war crimes.
Security Council mandate
Founded by the UN Security CouncilUNIFIL 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 .
Despite the difficult situation and threats to the safety and security of its personnel, UNIFIL remains true to its mandate, the mission spokesperson said.
In an exclusive interview with UN news On Wednesday before reports of the latest incident of tank shelling, spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said peacekeepers continue to monitor the situation and report to the Security Council, and are doing their utmost to enable humanitarian assistance to reach tens of thousands of affected families in the region. .
Click below to listen to the interview:
‘Intensive exchanges’ continue
Meanwhile, intense firefights continued over the past 24 hours along and beyond the “Blue Line” of separation between Israel and Lebanon.
UNIFIL recorded 58 air violations – the highest number in a 24-hour period since October 8 last year, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said, citing reports from the mission.
It also detected 1,279 projectiles across the Blue Line – of which 1,208 came from south of the Blue Line northbound and 71 from north.
Mr Dujarric added that UNIFIL also reported that indirect fire and shooting from close range of UN positions caused material damage to UN equipment and facilities near Dayr Amis in Sector West and Shab’a in Sector East of the peacekeepers’ area of operations.
“Fortunately, no peacekeepers were injured in these incidents. But they continue to endanger our peacekeepers,” he said, reiterating that the safety and security of UN personnel and property must be ensured by all actors.
