Israel says tank under enemy fire crashed into UN post in Lebanon
Unfortunately, several European leaders are applying pressure in the wrong direction. Instead of criticizing Israel, which is fighting on the front lines for civilization, they should direct their criticism at Hezbollah and its Iranian patrons, who are using UNIFIL as human shields.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
The UN accused Israeli tanks of breaching the gates of an entity base in Lebanon. The organization says that the invasion of the vehicles occurred after Netanyahu ordered the UN to evacuate its offices located in combat areas in Lebanon. According to the entity, the tanks invaded the offices before dawn this Sunday (13), local time.
Israel is also accused of interrupting a logistics convoy in Lebanese territory. Shortly after the tanks left, shells exploded 100 meters away, the UN says. The explosions released smoke that left 15 employees requiring treatment, despite wearing masks at the time. The UN did not say who fired the projectiles or what type of toxic substance it suspected.
“Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and Resolution 1701,” the UN said. “UNIFIL’s mandate provides for its freedom of movement within its area of operations, and any restriction on this is a violation of Resolution 1701. We request an explanation from the IDF regarding these shocking violations.”
Hezbollah denies using UN peacekeepers as human shields. The extremist group is supported by Iran, which Israel has been fighting on Iranian territory since launching an incursion there earlier this month. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah resumed a year ago when the Iran-backed group began firing rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas at the start of the war in the Gaza Strip.
* With information from Reuters and AFP
