Israel faced international backlash on Friday after it struck the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) headquarters and injured two peacekeepers, during an assault on Hezbollah operatives in the Naqoura area.
However, Israel showed little remorse in the incident and maintained that the UNIFIL personnel were told in advance about the imminent attack on southern Lebanon. It defended the action claiming that Hezbollah operates from within and near civilian areas in southern Lebanon, including areas near the UNIFIL posts. The two injured peacekeepers, who were rushed to a hospital with non-threatening injuries, hailed from Indonesia, reports said.
Israel used Merkava tanks to repeatedly fire at an observation tower at the headquarters in the morning of October 10, the United Nations said.
What is UNIFIL?
The UNIFIL was created by the United Nations Security Council in March 1978 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and restore international peace in the area. However, following the 2006 conflict, UNIFIL decided to include among its mandates to "Support the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout the south of Lebanon" and "monitor the cessation of hostilities."
As of April 2024, UNIFIL is 10,541-strong with 9,532 troops and 207 staff officers serving in the country in the Middle East. After Indonesia (1,234)), India (895) and Ghana (875) contribute the most number of personnel to the UNIFIL.
Over the years, 334 members of the UNIFIL have made the ultimate sacrifice while in the line of duty, the UN Peacekeeping's official website said.
Reactions to the attack on UNIFIL HQ
The United Nations condemned the incident as a "grave violation of international humanitarian law", while the United States condemned the action that threatened the afety and security of the UN peacekeepers.
"We understand Israel is conducting targeted operations near the Blue Line to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure that could be used to threaten Israeli citizens... While they undertake these operations, it is critical that they not threaten UN peacekeepers' safety and security," the White House said condemning the attack.
FULL REPORT | India raises concern after fresh Israeli attack on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon
India also condemned the attack hitting UN premises in a statement. "Inviolability of UN premises must be respected by all, and appropriate measures taken to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers and the sanctity of their mandate," the Ministry of External Affairs said.
What did Israel say?
Clarifying its stand on the development, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on X that its men on the ground in southern Lebanon "maintains routine communication with UNIFIL. "IDF troops operated in the area of Naqoura, next to a UNIFIL base. Accordingly, the IDF instructed the UN forces in the area to remain in protected spaces, after which the forces opened fire in the area," it said.