The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is seeking an explanation from the Israel Defense Forces after multiple “shocking violations,” including the forced entry of a U.N. position in southern Lebanon this morning.
“At around 4:30 a.m., while peacekeepers were in shelters, two IDF Merkava tanks destroyed the position’s main gate and forcibly entered the position,” UNIFIL said in a statement. “They requested multiple times that the base turn out its lights. The tanks left about 45 minutes later after UNIFIL protested through our liaison mechanism, saying that IDF presence was putting peacekeepers in danger.”
Around two hours later, UNIFIL reported that several rounds were fired 100 meters north, emitting smoke that affected 15 peacekeepers, who suffered skin irritation and gastrointestinal reactions.
“In addition, yesterday, IDF soldiers stopped a critical UNIFIL logistical movement near Meiss ej Jebel, denying it passage,” UNIFIL said. “The critical movement could not be completed.”
UNIFIL reminded the IDF of its obligation “to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times.”
The IDF disputes this account, saying, “no danger was posed to UNIFIL forces by the IDF activity” during the “entirety of the incident.”
In a statement, the IDF said their troops were confronted by a barrage of anti-tank missiles in southern Lebanon, severely injuring two of them.
“An initial review showed that an IDF tank that was trying to evacuate injured soldiers while still under fire backed several meters into a UNIFIL post,” the IDF said. “Once the enemy fire stopped, and following the evacuation of the injured soldiers, the tank left the post.”
The IDF said that the troops used a smoke screen to provide cover for the evacuation of the soldiers and that they maintained coordination with UNIFIL.