Israel Forces Entry Into UN Base In Lebanon, Peacekeepers Report.
In the latest escalation of tensions, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has accused Israeli forces of forcibly entering a peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon. According to UNIFIL, two Israel Defense Forces (IDF) tanks destroyed the main gate of the base on Sunday and later fired rounds in close proximity. The resulting smoke entered the camp, leaving 15 peacekeepers suffering from skin irritations and gastrointestinal issues.
The Israeli military claimed that the incursion was necessary to evacuate injured soldiers from the area. However, this incident is part of a growing number of confrontations between UNIFIL and Israeli forces as fighting continues in southern Lebanon.
Israel has repeatedly called on UNIFIL to withdraw from areas where combat is occurring, but the peacekeeping force has thus far declined to comply. UNIFIL has been stationed in Lebanon since 1978, with nearly 10,000 peacekeepers from 50 countries patrolling the area between the Litani River and the “Blue Line” – the boundary recognised by the UN between Lebanon and Israel.
The increasing friction between Israeli forces and UN peacekeepers adds to the already complex and volatile situation in the region.
