On Sunday, there are allegedly again disturbances between a UN force in Lebanon and Israel’s army, which is accused of an aggressive attitude towards the UN soldiers.
The message comes from the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, Unifil. This is written by the AFP news agency.
An Israeli “military bulldozer deliberately demolished an observation tower and a fence at a UN post,” Unifil said in a statement.
As late as Wednesday, it was heard from Unifil that an Israeli tank had fired at a guard tower in southern Lebanon.
It happened after peacekeeping forces had come under fire several times. At least four soldiers have been injured.
It has also emerged that several Danish military observers are at a UN base in Lebanon, which has been under Israeli fire.
This has been told by unnamed sources to DR.
There has been international criticism of Israel’s conduct towards the UN forces, including from Israel’s close ally the United States.
On Sunday, Unifil says that “we remind the IDF (Israel’s army, ed.) and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety of UN staff”.
It calls Israel’s behavior at UN positions “a breach of international law”.
– Despite the pressure exerted on the mission and the countries that contribute soldiers, the peacekeeping forces will remain in all positions, says a statement according to the news agency dpa.
The UN mission in Lebanon was established in 1978 after Israel had moved into Lebanon during a Palestinian uprising in southern Lebanon and the country had descended into civil war. Unifil monitored the Israeli withdrawal.
On September 23 this year, Israel began intensifying airstrikes in Lebanon with the aim of allowing thousands of displaced people in northern Israel to return.
Later, Israel also sent soldiers into the land in Lebanon.
/ritzau/
Source: www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk
