The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that Israeli tanks forcibly entered a peacekeeper base in southern Lebanon, breaching its gate. This incident occurs as tensions escalate between Israel and Hezbollah, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning that attacks on peacekeepers could constitute a war crime.
Guterres stated, “UNIFIL personnel and its premises must never be targeted. Attacks against peacekeepers are in breach of international law.” At least five UN peacekeepers have been injured amid the ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants in the region.
The situation has been further complicated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call for the UN to move UNIFIL forces “out of harm’s way” as Israel continues its offensive in southern Lebanon. This request has raised concerns about the safety of peacekeepers and their ability to fulfill their mandate in the conflict zone.
The breach of the UNIFIL base by Israeli tanks represents a significant escalation in the conflict and a direct challenge to the UN’s peacekeeping mission in the area. It highlights the growing risks faced by international personnel caught between warring parties in the volatile region.
