Between October 10th and 11th, the Israeli Defense Forces (I.D.F.) opened fire on three positions of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (U.N.I.F.I.L.) and a watchtower at U.N.I.F.I.L.’s headquarters in the Naqoura area, resulting in multiple injuries of peacekeeping personnel. Within 48 hours, U.N.I.F.I.L.’s headquarters in southern Naqoura have experienced two shelling attacks, causing the collapse of several T-shaped walls near the “Blue Line.” These incidents have drawn unanimous international condemnation, with the United Nations Security Council convening an emergency meeting to call for an immediate cessation of these actions that violate international law and threaten U.N. peacekeeping personnel’s lives.
On October 11th, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the Israeli attacks on U.N.I.F.I.L., stating that the incident is “intolerable” and “must not recur.” According to AFP.com, on October 12th, 40 member states contributing peacekeeping troops to U.N.I.F.I.L. issued a joint statement reiterating their full support for U.N.I.F.I.L.’s mission and activities in Lebanon. They strongly condemned the recent attacks on U.N.I.F.I.L., demanded an immediate halt to these actions, and called for a thorough investigation. They also urged all parties involved in the conflict to respect the presence of U.N.I.F.I.L. and ensure the safety of its personnel. According to AFP and Turkish press Anadolu Agency, U.S. President Joe Biden stated on Friday, October 11th that he “absolutely and unequivocally” demanded Israel stop attacking U.N.I.F.I.L. personnel and property. Following the attack on October 10th, the I.D.F. claimed the Hezbollah militants were active near U.N.I.F.I.L. outposts and using them as covers, prompting the I.D.F. to take action against Hezbollah and advising U.N.I.F.I.L. personnel to “remain in protected spaces” during the incident.
This Israeli attack on U.N.I.F.I.L. has widely been questioned and criticized by the international community. Israel apparently regards U.N.I.F.I.L. as an unfriendly foreign military force, setting a dangerous precedent. This is not merely a breach of international law and norms, but a blatant provocation against the United Nations, which represents a global commitment to peace and stability. The U.N. needs to adopt more proactive and effective measures to intervene in and address the demands of the conflicting parties, urging them to return to the framework of the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and de-escalate the conflict. The peacekeeping force, established in 1956 under U.N. resolutions and international law, represents the U.N. in monitoring ceasefires, stabilizing situations, protecting civilians, and providing security. The “Blue Line,” established by the U.N. to end previous wars between Israel and Hezbollah per Security Council Resolution 425 in 1978, spans 75 miles (approximately 120.7 kilometers). In August 2006, Security Council Resolution 1701 expanded U.N.I.F.I.L.’s mandate and increased troop deployment to ensure security on the Lebanese side of the “Blue Line.” To date, U.N.I.F.I.L. consists of over 10,000 military and police personnel from 48 countries, having been deployed in southern Lebanon for 46 years, successfully preventing further escalation of conflicts along the Lebanon-Israel border. Recently, Israel has accused U.N.I.F.I.L. of failing in its mission and serving as a shield for Hezbollah militants. The I.D.F. demanded U.N.I.F.I.L. to vacate from its border outposts, but U.N.I.F.I.L. refused, arguing that U.N.I.F.I.L. only obeys orders from the U.N. Security Council and that Israel has no right to unilaterally order U.N. peacekeepers to withdraw from conflicting areas.
Following the attack, calls for peace from the international community have grown. The U.N. is in a very precarious position in terms of responding to Israeli attacks, which puts the ability to maintain the safety of its peacekeepers as well as the dignity of the U.N. in jeopardy, posing a significant challenge for the organization.
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