The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) declared on Friday that the “deliberate and direct destruction” of its property by the Israeli army constituted a “flagrant violation” of international law.

It said that Israeli army excavators and a bulldozer had destroyed part of a fence and concrete structure at a U.N. peacekeeping position in Ras Naqoura on Thursday.

“The Israeli army has denied any activity inside the UNIFIL position, but the deliberate and direct destruction of clearly identifiable UNIFIL property constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and Resolution 1701,” stressed a statement.

UNIFIL also pointed out that “since Sept. 30, the Israeli army has regularly demanded that the peacekeepers leave their positions near the Blue Line ‘for their own safety.’”. It also noted “the destruction and removal this week of two of the blue barrels” marking the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel. “The Blue Helmets observed the Israeli army remove one of them.”

“Despite the unacceptable pressure exerted on the mission through various channels, the Blue Helmets will continue to carry out their monitoring and reporting duties in accordance with Resolution 1701,” assured UNIFIL at the end of its press release.