UNIFIL Condemns ‘Deliberate’ Israeli Attacks In Lebanon

UNIFIL, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon has said that it come under several “deliberate” attacks by Israeli forces in recent days.

The U.N. mission said that Israeli shelling was obstructing its efforts to help civilians in villages in the war zone.

UN Mission Station In Southern Lebanon

UNIFIL, is stationed in southern Lebanon to monitor hostilities along the demarcation line with Israel.

This area has seen fierce clashes this month between Israeli troops and Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters.

Peacekeepers Wounded In An Israeli Strike

Two peacekeepers were wounded in an Israeli strike near a watchtower last week.

This prompted criticism from some of the 50 countries that provide troops to the 10,000-strong force.

UNIFIL Targeted Many Times

“We’ve been targeted several times, five times under deliberate attack,” UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said by video link from Beirut.

“I think the role of UNIFIL at the moment is more important than ever. We need to be here.”

U.N. Forces Provide A Human Shield For Hezbollah fighters, Says Israel

Israel says U.N. forces provide a human shield for Hezbollah fighters and has told UNIFIL to evacuate peacekeepers from southern Lebanon for their own safety – a request that it has refused.

Netanyahu Rejects Charges

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected accusations the force had been deliberately targeted.

Asked whether UNIFIL would consider defending itself against Israel, he said that it was an option but at the moment it was trying to reduce tensions.

Aid Workers Trying To Reach Civilians

Tenenti also voiced concerns about civilians remaining in southern Lebanon.

He said that aid workers were struggling to reach them because of ongoing Israeli shelling.

“The devastation and destruction of many villages along the Blue Line, and even beyond, is shocking,” he said, referring to a U.N.-mapped line separating Lebanon from Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Asked about the downing of a drone near a UNIFIL ship off the Lebanese coast on Thursday, he said: “The drone was coming from the south but circling around the ship and getting very, very close, a few metres away from the ship.”

An investigation is underway, he added.

Use of White Phosphorus

Tenenti drew attention to an investigation that had detected “a trace of the possible use of white phosphorous” by the Israeli army close to a UNIFIL base.

The U.N. Security Council was aware of the case, he said.

White phosphorus munitions are not banned as a chemical weapon and their use – usually to make smoke screens, mark targets or burn buildings – by the Israeli military is documented.

International Conventions Prohibit Use Of White Phosphorus Munitions 

Since they can cause serious burns and start fires, international conventions prohibit their use against military targets located among civilians.

Israel’s military has previously said in response to Reuters questions that it “uses only lawful means of warfare”.

(With inputs from Reuters)