UNIFIL denounces interception by Israeli army of one of its convoys en route to Naqoura

BEIRUT — The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a statement that one of its convoys was intercepted Tuesday in southern Lebanon by Israeli army soldiers, just a few kilometers from its destination in Naqoura (Sour).

This "regular" convoy was carrying both military and civilian peacekeepers, as well as essential contract personnel, from Beirut to UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, according to the statement. "The vehicles bearing U.N. markings were eventually allowed to continue on their way. However, the local contractors were forced to return to Beirut under police escort, even though the convoy had previously been authorized to move freely, and their presence had also been approved," the statement said.

For several weeks, Naqoura has been under Israeli army control, which is advancing in southern Lebanon and systematically destroying the villages it invades in order to establish a "security zone."

"This is not an isolated incident," the U.N. force said. "Similar restrictions, in the form of physical roadblocks or cancellations of prior authorizations, have affected both blue helmets and the essential personnel who support them. These actions raise concerns about the timely delivery of critical supplies, including food, fuel and water, to UNIFIL positions, especially along the Blue Line," the statement said.

It also warned that "maintaining movement restrictions risks jeopardizing ongoing operations, in particular the ability of peacekeepers to report violations of Resolution 1701, in accordance with their obligations." It called on the Israeli army to "honor agreements made and comply with its obligations regarding the safety of peacekeepers and the freedom of movement for all UNIFIL patrols and logistical convoys."

UNIFIL, which consists of nearly 8,200 troops from 47 countries, is caught between Israel and Hezbollah. Since the resumption of war between Hezbollah and Israel on March 2, after months of a cease-fire that was broken almost daily, three Indonesian peacekeepers have been killed in successive incidents in late March in southern Lebanon. According to the results of a preliminary U.N. investigation, an Israeli tank shell was responsible for the death of one of them on March 29, and an improvised explosive device probably laid by Hezbollah caused the deaths of two others the following day.