UNIFIL vehicles in Marjayoun, Oct. 11, 2024. (Credit: AFP)
New Israeli shellfire targeted the main entrance to the headquarters of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura, while an Israeli Merkava tank hit a peacekeepers' watchtower on a road linking Sour to Naqoura, the official National News Agency (NNA) and the Lebanese Foreign Affairs Ministry reported on Friday.
These new shots, the day after strikes on three UNIFIL positions, wounded two peacekeepers from the Sri Lankan battalion, according to the same sources.
In a statement, the Ministry condemned the Israeli army's “systematic and deliberate targeting” of UNIFIL positions, as well as the demand made the previous day by Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon that peacekeepers evacuate their positions in southern Lebanon. “This is a dangerous precedent, confirming once again Israel's contempt for international legitimacy, its disregard for international laws and conventions and international humanitarian law." It could also be a “war crime,” according to Lebanese diplomacy, which has called for an “investigation” into the matter.
Contacted by L'Orient-Le Jour, a source within the UNIFIL did not comment on the new Israeli fire against positions of U.N. forces. She did, however, say that the U.N. “will launch an investigation” into Thursday's strikes.
These strikes wounded two Indonesian soldiers who were in a watchtower at the Force's headquarters in Naqoura, which was hit by tank fire. They were roundly condemned by the international community.
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