Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the UN to immediately evacuate members of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL, from the fighting areas. They are said to have become hostages of the Lebanese militant movement Hezbollah. In recent days, several UNIFIL members were injured in southern Lebanon, where Israel has been conducting an operation against the Shiite movement since last week.
13.10.2024 13:10 , updated: 13:33
UNIFIL units in Lebanon
“Mr. Secretary General, take the UNIFIL troops to safety. It must be done now, immediately,” Netanyahu said in a video in which he addresses UN chief António Guterres in English.
UNIFIL has repeatedly come under Israeli fire in recent days, prompting international criticism. In recent days, at least five members of the mission have been injured in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
Netanyahu said the Israeli military has repeatedly called on the United Nations to evacuate troops. Their presence in the area makes them hostages to Hezbollah, the Israeli prime minister said.
The Israeli army launched a ground invasion in the Lebanese border area last week. Israel says it is trying to destroy the military infrastructure of the Hezbollah movement, which has been shelling northern Israel since last October. According to the Israeli army, Hezbollah uses civilian objects to hide weapons, but the movement denies this.
Today, according to the AFP agency, Pope Francis called for respect for the blue helmets in the conflict region. “I feel a closeness to all the participating nations in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon and I ask that the UN peacekeeping forces be respected there,” František declared.
Red Cross workers were injured in the airstrike
The Lebanese Red Cross said on Sunday that several of its workers were injured in southern Lebanon in Israeli airstrikes. TASR informs according to the DPA agency and posts on the X social network.
The Red Cross said the incident occurred when Red Cross rescue workers were searching for victims in a house that had been hit by Israeli forces in the morning. However, during the search, the house was hit again, despite Red Cross workers and vehicles being nearby.
“While the team was looking for victims, the house was hit a second time. The attack left volunteers concussed and damaged two ambulances. The slightly injured volunteers were taken to the hospital and are in good condition,” the Red Cross said on X. Lebanon’s state-run NNA agency said four medics were injured in the attack.
“Lebanese Red Cross volunteers should always be protected when rescuing victims,” the organization added on the X social network.
At least 94 health workers have been killed in Lebanon since the military escalation between Israel and Hezbollah militants began, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). During this period, there were approximately 40 attacks on medical facilities.
Source: spravy.pravda.sk
