Spanish peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) coordinate their patrol with the Lebanese army, in Marjayoun in south Lebanon on Oct. 8, 2024. (Credit: AFP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called on U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to "withdraw" the peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) from the south of the country. This call, immediately condemned by Lebanon, was launched less than 24 hours after 40 countries expressed their "total support" for the peacekeepers and urged for their protection. Five peacekeepers were injured in two days, at the end of the week, by Israeli fire, while the fighting between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, which is leading a ground offensive, has been raging since the end of September along the Blue Line.
UNIFIL issued a statement demanding explanations from Israel for "serious violations" committed by its troops in south Lebanon on Sunday. These violations include Merkava tanks firing at the entrance to a UNIFIL position in Ramieh (Bint Jbeil), as well as the entry of Israeli soldiers into Lebanese territory by crossing the Blue Line. It also said that 15 of its soldiers had to be treated after being asphyxiated by smoke caused by Israeli fire near another of its positions.
UNIFIL is deployed in south Lebanon to act as a buffer force. Its headquarters is in Naqoura, near the border. This force of more than 9,500 soldiers has been caught in the crossfire between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah since the latter opened a front against Israel in October 2023. It now accuses Israeli troops of “repeated” and “deliberate” shooting at its positions. Its main contingents come from Indonesia, India, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Malaysia, Spain, Ireland and France.
In a statement Sunday, Netanyahu called for the withdrawal of U.N. peacekeepers from "Hezbollah strongholds" in southern Lebanon, saying that any refusal would make them "hostages of Hezbollah." He added that the presence of UNIFIL endangered the lives of his soldiers. He also recalled that he had repeatedly asked the U.N. to withdraw its troops from the border strip with Israel, but had been faced with "repeated refusals," which he said provided a human shield for Hezbollah fighters.
Caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati quickly condemned the call, denouncing a "new Israeli aggression and hostility towards U.N. forces" in Lebanon. At the same time, he criticized "Israel's disregard for international legitimacy," while reaffirming Beirut's commitment to Resolution 1701 and the positive role of UNIFIL.
Georgia Meloni and the Pope
On Saturday, at least 40 countries expressed their “full” support for UNIFIL and urged the protection of peacekeepers. In a letter circulated by Poland’s mission to the U.N., the countries condemned recent attacks on peacekeepers, calling for them to stop immediately and be investigated. Six other countries, including Germany and India, also joined the call.
The 40 countries, including European states such as Italy, Spain, France, the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as countries such as Nepal and Indonesia, stressed the importance of UNIFIL's role, particularly in the context of escalating tensions in the Middle East.
UNIFIL had warned of a "catastrophic" regional conflict as the Israeli army battles Hezbollah and Hamas. Israeli fire on its positions sparked a wave of international condemnation, including from the United States.
Rome has denounced possible “war crimes” and summoned the Israeli ambassador. On Sunday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated in a call with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz that Israeli attacks on U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon were unacceptable, according to an Italian government statement. Pope Francis called for respect for UNIFIL soldiers and an immediate cease-fire, urging that diplomacy be the priority to achieve peace.
This article originally appeared in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.