Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen on Monday labeled the United Nations’ UNIFIL peacekeepers in southern Lebanon as “useless,” accusing them of failing to protect Israelis from Hezbollah attacks and calling for their withdrawal amid escalating conflict.
“The State of Israel will do everything to ensure the safety of its citizens, and if the UN cannot help, at least it should not interfere, and move its personnel from the combat zones,” Cohen stated on social media platform X.
The criticism comes as Israel pushes its forces through southern Lebanon in an effort to neutralize Iran-backed Hezbollah and its military infrastructure. The UN and Israel have exchanged accusations regarding the peacekeepers’ role in the region.
On Sunday, the UN reported that Israeli tanks had forcibly entered one of its bases, an allegation disputed by Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the peacekeepers to withdraw, claiming they provided “human shields” for Hezbollah.
UNIFIL described an incident where two Israeli Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate of a base and entered before dawn on Sunday. The peacekeeping force also reported shells exploding nearby, causing smoke that affected UN personnel.
The Israeli military countered these claims by taking foreign journalists to southern Lebanon, showcasing what they described as a Hezbollah tunnel shaft close to a UNIFIL position and weapon caches allegedly found by troops.
Brigadier General Yiftach Norkin stated, “We are actually standing in a military base of Hezbollah very close to the UN,” pointing out tunnel infrastructure near a UN observation post.
The Israeli military claims to have destroyed numerous Hezbollah tunnel shafts, rocket launchers, and command posts since beginning its ground operation near the border.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell criticized EU member states for their delayed condemnation of Israel’s attacks on UNIFIL soldiers, describing the attacks as “completely unacceptable.”
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified in recent weeks, with both sides engaging in cross-border attacks. Israel maintains its operations in Lebanon are aimed at securing the return of displaced residents in northern Israel.
REUTERS
