Israeli forces opened fire on observation towers used by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon, the second such incident in recent days.
Two explosions occurred near the observation tower, injuring two peacekeepers, the UN mission said in a statement on Friday.
“This is a serious development and UNIFIL reiterates that the safety and security of United Nations personnel and property must be guaranteed and that the inviolability of United Nations facilities must be respected at all times,” it added. .
“Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”
The organization also reported that “several T-walls at UN position 1-31 near the Blue Line in Rabneh were struck by (Israeli army) caterpillars around them, and (Israeli) tanks were driven close to the UN position. “It collapsed when we moved it,” he said.
“Our peacekeeping forces remained in place and UNIFIL rapid reaction forces were deployed to support and strengthen the position.”
The Lebanese Foreign Ministry earlier announced that the attacks were carried out against observation towers and UNIFIL’s main base in Nakoura, as well as the base of a Sri Lankan battalion.
Lebanese state news agency reported that a member of a Sri Lankan battalion was wounded by shelling from an Israeli Merkava tank, but did not specify the exact location.
Lebanon’s interim prime minister, Najib Mikati, said at a news conference in Beirut that Israel’s actions were “a reprehensible crime.” He added that he had discussed efforts towards a ceasefire in Lebanon with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday: “It is clear that this incident is unacceptable and cannot be repeated.”
Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Friday said it was “outraged” by the targeting of UNIFIL peacekeepers and called on Israel to refrain from any “hostile acts” against them.
Human Rights Watch called for a U.N. investigation into the attack and said the intentional targeting of the U.N. mission was a “war crime.”
“UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have long played an important civilian protection and humanitarian role,” said Rama Fakih, the New York-based human rights group’s director for the Middle East and North Africa. “Targeting of UN peacekeepers by Israeli forces violates the laws of war and puts UNIFIL’s civilian protection and assistance operations at risk.”
China expressed “grave concern and strong condemnation” of Israel’s attacks on UN peace operations, and India similarly expressed the “deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said: “The inviolability of UN facilities must be respected by all appropriate measures taken to ensure the safety of UN peacekeeping forces and the sanctity of their mission.”
Blue Helmet Attack
Friday’s incident came a day after U.N. peacekeepers said Israeli forces had fired “repeatedly” at UNIFIL headquarters and positions in southern Lebanon.
Two Indonesian peacekeepers were injured on Thursday and remain in hospital, the mission said.
UNIFIL personnel wear blue helmets for clear identification and their location is known to the Israeli military.
Israel acknowledged that its forces opened fire in the area and said warring Hezbollah fighters were operating near the U.N. garrison.
Thursday’s attack sparked global condemnation.
Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crossetto, who has abandoned support for Israel through the year-long wars in Gaza and Lebanon, denounced the incident as a possible war crime.
“This was not a mistake or an accident,” Crossett said at a news conference. “This may constitute a war crime and represents a very serious violation of international humanitarian law.”
UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told Al Jazeera that the attack was a “very serious” development.
He explained that Israel had previously asked peacekeepers to move from “certain positions” near the border, but added: “We will stay because it is important that the UN flag flies in southern Lebanon. I decided to do it,” he explained.
Tennenti added: “At this point we’re staying put and trying to do whatever we can to monitor (and assist).”
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi confirmed that the country’s peacekeepers were hospitalized for further observation.
“Indonesia strongly condemns this attack,” she said. “Attacks on United Nations personnel and property are serious violations of international humanitarian law.”
