The spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) described Israel’s targeting of its forces in southern Lebanon as a “serious development.” In an interview with Sky News Arabia on Saturday, the spokesperson emphasized that Israel’s actions violate UN Security Council Resolution 1701, highlighting that Israeli attacks against UNIFIL forces have been ongoing.
The UNIFIL spokesperson added that Israeli forces had requested UNIFIL to stay away from the Blue Line, a demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel.
The spokesperson stressed that Israel must ensure the safety of UNIFIL troops in southern Lebanon and underscored the need for the Lebanese Army to deploy in the region.
On Friday, the Israeli military reported that two UN peacekeepers were injured in an Israeli airstrike near their observation post in southern Lebanon. Explosions also rocked UNIFIL’s main base in the area for the second time in 48 hours, amid ongoing clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.
The attacks have drawn widespread international condemnation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and several Western nations denounced the assaults. In a statement, UNIFIL called the situation a “serious development” and stressed that the security of its personnel and assets must be ensured.
France responded by summoning the Israeli ambassador, while U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged his Israeli counterpart to guarantee the safety of UNIFIL troops in Lebanon. Russia also expressed outrage, demanding that Israel refrain from “hostile actions” against peacekeeping forces.
