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UN peacekeepers in Lebanon targeted for second day in row

BEIRUT, Lebanon – UN peacekeepers in Lebanon have taken hits from the Israeli army at it wides its attacks across the country.

The UN mission is now being confronted by Israeli tanks in close proximity. A UNIFIL observation tower was targeted in an attack by an Israeli Merkava tank on Thursday, which hospitalized two UN peacekeepers. Then, on Friday, the UNIFIL headquarters was again targeted, with a number of walls at the compound being destroyed.

“This morning, UNIFIL’s Naqoura headquarters was affected by explosions for the second time in the last 48 hours,” the organization said in a statement on Friday. “Two peacekeepers were injured after two explosions occurred close to an observation tower. One injured peacekeeper was taken to a hospital in Tyre, while the second is being treated in Naqoura.”

“Today, several T-walls at our UN position 1-31, near the Blue Line in Labbouneh, fell when an IDF caterpillar hit the perimeter and IDF tanks moved in the proximity of the UN position. Our peacekeepers remained at the location, and a UNIFIL Quick Reaction Force was dispatched to assist and reinforce the position,” the UNIFIL statement said.

“These incidents put again UN peacekeepers, who are serving in south Lebanon at the request of the Security Council under resolution 1701 (2006), at very serious risks.”

“This is a serious development, and UNFIL reiterates that the safety and security of UN personnel and property must be guaranteed and that the inviolability of UN premises must be respected at all times. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and Security Council resolution 1701 (2006),” the statement said.

UN peacekeepers in Lebanon targeted for second day in row

Photo credit: Houssam Shbaro | Anadolu Agency

There are over 10,000 UN peacekeepers serving in Lebanon with the UNIFIL mission. They hail from fifty countries, including the UK, Ireland, France, and Germany. Most of the troops are from India (903), Italy (1,068) Ireland 370), Cambodia (185), Austria (165), Spain (676), Nepal (876), Indonesia (1,231), China (418), Malaysia (833), France (673), South Korea (294), Finland (205), and Poland (213).

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