UN peacekeepers have been injured by Israeli tank fire in a conflict zone, raising concerns about the safety of international personnel and escalating tensions in the region.
Two peacekeepers were injured when an Israeli tank targeted their headquarters along the Israel-Lebanon border, according to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
According to a statement by UNIFIL on Thursday, the Naqoura headquarters and other peacekeeping positions along the ‘Blue Line’ separating the two countries have been “repeatedly hit” by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The statement reported that earlier today, an IDF Merkava tank fired at an observation tower located at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, resulting in injuries to two peacekeepers.
UNIFIL reported that a direct hit on the tower caused UN personnel to fall to the ground. “Fortunately, this time the injuries are not serious, but they remain in hospital,” it added.
The UN force in Lebanon emphasized that “any intentional attack on peacekeepers constitutes a serious breach of international humanitarian law” as well as the applicable UN Security Council Resolution.
According to UNIFIL, Israeli soldiers “deliberately fired” at and disabled the perimeter-monitoring cameras in Naqoura on Wednesday.
The report added that lighting and a relay station were also damaged when the IDF targeted a facility previously used for meetings between UN, Israeli, and Lebanese military representatives before the recent escalation began between Israel and Hezbollah.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stated on Thursday that the injured UN peacekeepers were members of his country’s contingent. However, he noted that they had not sustained serious injuries.
READ ALSO: Hamas Commander and Family Killed in Israeli Airstrike in Lebanon
The IDF stated that its forces were active in the Naqoura area, “adjacent to a UNIFIL base.”
“The Israeli military stated, ‘In response to instructions from the IDF, UN forces in the area were advised to stay in protected locations. Subsequently, these forces opened fire in the vicinity.'”
Following the incident, Danny Danon, Israel’s envoy to the UN, advised that UN peacekeepers “move 5km north to stay out of harm’s way as clashes between the IDF and Hezbollah escalate.”
A spokesperson from the US National Security Council informed Turkish news agency Anadolu of the White House’s “deep concern” regarding Israel’s ongoing attacks on UN peacekeepers. The spokesperson emphasized that it is “critical” for IDF operations along the Blue Line to avoid jeopardizing the safety and security of UN peacekeepers.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto implied that Israel’s actions “might amount to war crimes.” He stated that Rome had requested an official explanation from the Jewish state regarding the attacks on UN peacekeepers along the Israeli-Lebanese border, emphasizing that these incidents were not accidental.
