Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls on the UN to withdraw peacekeepers from Lebanon, citing escalating tensions and the need to protect them from potential harm.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the UN chief to relocate peacekeepers stationed in southern Lebanon, alleging that Hezbollah was using them as “human shields” and thus putting their safety at risk.

He appealed to UN chief Antonio Guterres a day after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon declined to withdraw from the border area, even though five of its members were injured during recent fighting.

“Mr. Secretary General, withdraw the UNIFIL forces from danger immediately,” Netanyahu stated in a video message released by his office, marking his first remarks on the matter.

Residents collect their belongings at the location of an Israeli strike in Beirut’s Basta neighborhood on October 11, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

Before a cabinet meeting, he mentioned that Israeli forces had requested UNIFIL to withdraw multiple times, but these requests were “repeatedly refused,” effectively offering a “human shield to Hezbollah terrorists.”

“The premier stated that by not evacuating the UNIFIL soldiers, they are effectively being held hostage by Hezbollah. This decision jeopardizes their safety as well as the lives of our own troops.”

“We deeply regret the harm caused to UNIFIL soldiers and are committed to doing everything in our power to prevent further incidents. However, the most straightforward solution would be to withdraw them from the danger zone.”

UNIFIL has declined to abandon its positions in southern Lebanon.

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“There was a unanimous decision to remain, as it is crucial for the UN flag to continue flying high in this region and ensure we can report back to the Security Council,” Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for UNIFIL, stated in an interview with AFP on Saturday.

He stated that Israel had requested UNIFIL to withdraw from positions “up to five kilometers (three miles) from the Blue Line” which separates both countries, but the peacekeepers declined.

This would have encompassed its 29 stations in southern Lebanon.

UNIFIL, comprising approximately 9,500 troops from various nationalities, was established in response to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1978.

Its current responsibility is to oversee the ceasefire that concluded the 33-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.

On Saturday, forty nations contributing to UNIFIL expressed strong condemnation of recent attacks on the peacekeepers.

“These actions must cease immediately and undergo thorough investigation,” stated the joint statement, shared on X by the Polish UN mission and endorsed by leading contributors such as Indonesia, Italy, and India.

Netanyahu stated that criticism should be directed at Hezbollah rather than Israel.

He said they should focus their criticism on Hezbollah, who uses UNIFIL as a human shield, similar to how Hamas in Gaza utilizes UNRWA.

“Regrettably, UNRWA also collaborates with Hamas in that area.”

In January, Israel alleged that twelve employees of UNRWA in Gaza were involved in the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas.

Investigations uncovered certain “neutrality-related issues” at UNRWA and concluded that nine employees “might have been involved” in the attack.

AFP