Israel faces criticism following tank assault that wounds UN peacekeepers
The United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon has announced that two of its personnel sustained injuries due to being struck by an Israeli tank. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon previously announced that two of its personnel were injured after being targeted by the IDF.
Israel has come under international criticism after a UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon stated on Thursday that two of its members were wounded by fire from an Israeli tank.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon reported that a Merkava tank targeted a watchtower at the force’s headquarters in the border town of Naqoura, injuring two Indonesian peacekeepers. UNIFIL remarked that any attack on its members constitutes a “grave violation of international humanitarian law.”
The UN characterized the incident as a “very serious” development. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told Al Jazeera that although Israel had previously instructed UN peacekeepers to vacate “certain positions” near the border, the UN decided to stay in order to monitor the situation and provide assistance.
“If the situation becomes impossible for the mission to operate in the south of Lebanon… it will be up to the Security Council to decide how to move forward,” he added while speaking to the news network.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi confirmed on Friday that two of the nation's peacekeepers had been injured in the Israeli attack and were currently hospitalized. She condemned the incident, asserting that any attack on UN personnel and property is a “major violation of international humanitarian law.”
The United States also expressed that it is “deeply concerned” by reports of the attack. The White House emphasized that while it understands Israel's operations aim to eliminate Hezbollah infrastructure, it remains “critical that they not threaten UN peacekeepers’ safety and security.”
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell labeled the incident an “inadmissible act, for which there is no justification,” underlining Israel’s obligation to adhere to international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701. This resolution mandates that UNIFIL assist the Lebanese army in keeping the border area free of weapons and armed personnel. “Full accountability is needed,” Borrell asserted.
Countries voicing their opposition to Israeli actions include Italy, France, Spain, Ireland, Türkiye, and Canada. Additionally, the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed outrage over the behavior of the Israeli military, calling for West Jerusalem to avoid hostile actions against UNIFIL peacekeepers.
In response, Israel confirmed that its troops fired near a UNIFIL base after instructing UN forces in the vicinity to take shelter in protected areas. The Israeli military claimed that Hezbollah fighters had been operating in the region from within and around civilian areas, including those near UNIFIL posts.
Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, suggested that peacekeeping forces should reposition several kilometers to the north while the area remains “volatile as a result of Hezbollah aggression.”
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
Israel has come under international criticism after a UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon stated on Thursday that two of its members were wounded by fire from an Israeli tank.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon reported that a Merkava tank targeted a watchtower at the force’s headquarters in the border town of Naqoura, injuring two Indonesian peacekeepers. UNIFIL remarked that any attack on its members constitutes a “grave violation of international humanitarian law.”
The UN characterized the incident as a “very serious” development. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told Al Jazeera that although Israel had previously instructed UN peacekeepers to vacate “certain positions” near the border, the UN decided to stay in order to monitor the situation and provide assistance.
“If the situation becomes impossible for the mission to operate in the south of Lebanon… it will be up to the Security Council to decide how to move forward,” he added while speaking to the news network.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi confirmed on Friday that two of the nation's peacekeepers had been injured in the Israeli attack and were currently hospitalized. She condemned the incident, asserting that any attack on UN personnel and property is a “major violation of international humanitarian law.”
The United States also expressed that it is “deeply concerned” by reports of the attack. The White House emphasized that while it understands Israel's operations aim to eliminate Hezbollah infrastructure, it remains “critical that they not threaten UN peacekeepers’ safety and security.”
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell labeled the incident an “inadmissible act, for which there is no justification,” underlining Israel’s obligation to adhere to international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701. This resolution mandates that UNIFIL assist the Lebanese army in keeping the border area free of weapons and armed personnel. “Full accountability is needed,” Borrell asserted.
Countries voicing their opposition to Israeli actions include Italy, France, Spain, Ireland, Türkiye, and Canada. Additionally, the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed outrage over the behavior of the Israeli military, calling for West Jerusalem to avoid hostile actions against UNIFIL peacekeepers.
In response, Israel confirmed that its troops fired near a UNIFIL base after instructing UN forces in the vicinity to take shelter in protected areas. The Israeli military claimed that Hezbollah fighters had been operating in the region from within and around civilian areas, including those near UNIFIL posts.
Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, suggested that peacekeeping forces should reposition several kilometers to the north while the area remains “volatile as a result of Hezbollah aggression.”
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
