unifil-peacekeepers-withdraw-from-southern-lebanon

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) recently confirmed that its peacekeeping troops withdrew from a post near the village of Dhayra in southern Lebanon after being fired upon by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

 

The incident reportedly occurred earlier this week when UNIFIL personnel were observing IDF soldiers carrying out nearby house-clearing operations. UNIFIL issued a statement explaining that, once IDF soldiers noticed they were being monitored, they directed fire toward the peacekeepers' position, prompting the withdrawal to ensure the safety of UN personnel.

 

According to UNIFIL, the IDF has repeatedly pressured the peacekeeping force to abandon its positions along the Blue Line, an area that marks the boundary between Lebanon and Israel.

 

There have also been multiple allegations that the IDF has intentionally damaged UNIFIL’s equipment, including cameras, lighting, and communications gear positioned along this line.

 

This ongoing tension has led to heightened criticism from international communities as repeated incidents have led to injuries among UN personnel stationed in Lebanon.

 

The situation escalated further with a series of recent attacks targeting UNIFIL posts in Lebanon. In one such incident on Wednesday, a UNIFIL medevac team transferring a patient in the village of Yarin came under unidentified fire, resulting in damage to one of the vehicles, which was immobilised and abandoned at the scene.

 

Later, on Friday evening, a UNIFIL medical facility in Bayt Lif suffered damage from a shell or rocket of unknown origin, and two additional shells or rockets struck near a post in Kfar Shouba, causing extensive damage to living accommodations and shelters at the facility.

 

UNIFIL reported that peacekeepers on-site had retreated to shelters at the time of these incidents, and fortunately, no personnel were injured. However, the force highlighted the risk that these incidents pose to its operations and the safety of its staff amid the growing tensions.

 

UNIFIL assured that, despite the worsening violence, its peacekeepers continue to monitor and report the security situation in southern Lebanon to the United Nations Security Council.