New York, October 15, 2024 – The Europe Today: The United Nations Security Council has voiced serious concern following multiple incidents in which UN peacekeeping positions in southern Lebanon were targeted by Israeli military forces. In a statement adopted unanimously on Monday, the 15-member council emphasized the importance of safeguarding UN personnel and facilities, particularly those of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
“UN peacekeepers and UN premises must never be the target of an attack,” the Council declared, reaffirming its support for UNIFIL’s mission and underlining its crucial role in maintaining regional stability.
The Council also reiterated the necessity for the full implementation of Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006 to ensure peace along the border between Lebanon and Israel. It noted the importance of taking further practical measures to achieve lasting stability in the region.
Since the start of the Israeli ground offensive in Lebanon on October 1, UNIFIL positions have been impacted 20 times, with some incidents involving direct fire. On Sunday, Israeli tanks reportedly breached the gates of a UNIFIL base. According to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, five peacekeepers have been injured, including one who sustained a bullet wound.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to withdraw UNIFIL forces, stating, “The time has come for you to withdraw UNIFIL.” Despite this, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix affirmed on Monday that the UN troops would not retreat, noting that the mission was continuously assessing the situation and preparing for various scenarios.
Lacroix also stressed that UNIFIL’s mandate, under Resolution 1701, is to assist Lebanese forces in ensuring that southern Lebanon remains free of unauthorized armed personnel and weapons, apart from those of the Lebanese government. He highlighted that UNIFIL’s role is supportive, not enforcement-based.
Amid growing tensions, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon has claimed that both the Lebanese army and UNIFIL have failed to secure the area, arguing that Israeli forces are acting to enforce Resolution 1701 by dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure. Danon has called for a more robust mandate for UNIFIL to deter Hezbollah, though no formal discussions on modifying the mission’s mandate are currently underway.
Meanwhile, Deputy U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood emphasized the importance of allowing UNIFIL to carry out its mandate effectively, while Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia condemned the threats to UN peacekeepers, calling the situation unacceptable.
UNIFIL, whose mandate is valid until August 2025, remains at the center of diplomatic efforts to maintain peace and stability in the volatile region, with the Security Council continuing to monitor the situation closely.
