UNIFIL has been urged to evacuate peacekeepers from southern Lebanon for their safety after Israel accused UN forces of serving as a “human shield” for Hezbollah fighters.
Israeli forces have launched multiple “deliberate” strikes on the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon in recent days, the mission said Friday, and the shelling is impeding efforts to aid people in communities inside the combat zone.
The UNIFIL mission :
The UN mission is Israel accused UN forces of providing a “human shield” for Hezbollah fighters, prompting UNIFIL to call for the evacuation of personnel from southern Lebanon for their safety.
The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon claimed Friday that Israeli forces have carried out many “deliberate” strikes against it in recent days, adding that the shelling is obstructing humanitarian activities in areas inside the conflict zone.
Israel has demanded that UNIFIL remove peacekeepers from southern Lebanon for their safety, but UNIFIL has rejected the request. Israel has accused UN personnel of serving as a “human shield” for Hezbollah fighters.
Benjamin Netanyahu :
Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, refuted allegations that the IDF had been singled out. Tenenti disputed this, pointing out that in one instance, Israeli forces had infiltrated a UNIFIL location and stayed there for forty-five minutes.
In response to a question about whether UNIFIL would think about defending itself against Israel, Tenenti stated that while it was an option, the current emphasis was on lowering tensions.
Tenenti also voiced worries for the civilians who were remained in southern Lebanon, pointing out that the ongoing Israeli shelling was making it difficult for humanitarian workers to get to them. He referred to the UN-drawn border between Israel and Lebanon as well as the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, saying, “It is shocking to see the devastation and destruction of many villages along the Blue Line, and even beyond.”