UN peacekeepers in Lebanon say Israeli tanks have invaded a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, position this morning, increasing the tension along the Israel-Lebanon border. Two Israeli Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate of a Blue Helmet position in the Ramia area, on the Lebanese side of the border, around 4:30 a.m., UNIFIL said.

 The tanks entered the site while peacekeepers were in shelters and departed 45 minutes later. This incident came after a preceding blockade by Israeli forces that stopped a vital UNIFIL logistical movement near Mais al-Jabal the day before.

The Lebanon mission today follows a request by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the United Nations peacekeepers to be withdrawn from the volatile border region, where he claimed Hezbollah is using them as “human shields. 

Combat Zone

Amidst heavy artillery shelling and the threat of direct fighting with Hezbollah militants, the Israeli army has partially captured a border village. The once-thriving village is now a rubble town, with houses destroyed and tanks parking amid this rubble. Israeli troops found caches of arms and booby-trapped houses and equipment reportedly used by Hezbollah if they wanted to mount a cross-border attack.

Worker’s Harrowing Experience In The Bombing Incident

It is places like Aaliyah’s Books and Loris restaurant which have been shaken to their core by the war. Places that used to reverberate with music, songs, and busily-filled tables are now eerily quiet. “We literally close our doors early,” says Charlie Haber, bar manager at Aaliyah’s. Co-owner of Loris Joe Aoun described how his workers experience personal destruction daily but still go to work in a struggle for survival. At the same time, during times of uncertainty and chaos, both these businesses are fighting to stay open, never knowing how long they will be able to hang in there.

Netanyahu Calls On UN to Recall Peacekeeping Forces

Appealing to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a video statement, Netanyahu urged the immediate withdrawal of forces under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, from southern Lebanon for the safety of the troops amid such widespread confrontations. “Mr. Secretary-General, get the UNIFIL forces out of harm’s way. It should be done right now, immediately,” Netanyahu urged, adding that Israel regrets any harm caused to peacekeepers but believes the only way to protect them further is to take them away from harm.

This request came a day after five members of UNIFIL were injured during Israeli military operations in Lebanon, renewing demands that the peacekeepers must leave the border area.

UNIFIL Refuses to Withdraw

Even with the appeals of Netanyahu, UNIFIL refused to pull back its positions in southern Lebanon. The peacekeeping force, set up to supervise the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, declared it would stay on the ground to contribute to regional stability.

The presence of UNIFIL has become controversial because Israel has been considering the possibility that Hezbollah is using the presence of the peacekeepers to hide out its fighters and weaponry. However, the United Nations has argued that UNIFIL remains crucial in preventing the region’s volatile situations from worsening.

Lebanon Prime Minister Najib Mikati lambasted Netanyahu’s demand to withdraw the peacekeepers and condemned the Israeli aggression against UNIFIL personnel. In a statement, Mikati declared: “Lebanon condemns Netanyahu’s position and the Israeli aggression against UNIFIL peacekeepers.” At his turn, he assailed Netanyahu’s appeal to Guterres as part of “a new chapter in the enemy’s approach of not abiding by international rules.”

The more the rockets fly from both Israel and Hezbollah across the border, the more UNIFIL stands to be important in the monitoring of the ceasefire violations. At the same time, it tries to calm the situation. However, this showed that at least some parts of the peacekeeping mission remain very uncertain about the security of its personnel in the field.

While UNIFIL remained adamant about fighting off demands to withdraw, the situation remains volatile, with an international community closely monitoring developments. As Israel expands military escalations in Lebanon, the future of UN peacekeeping forces is now at stake, with a growing possibility of further escalation.

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