According to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), two Israel Defense Forces (IDF) tanks broke the main gate and demanded the lights be turned off. A few hours later, nearby gunfire caused smoke to enter the camp, leading to 15 peacekeepers suffering skin and stomach issues.
The IDF claimed the tanks entered the UNIFIL post to evacuate wounded soldiers following an anti-tank missile attack, in which two soldiers were seriously injured. The IDF said they reversed into the UNIFIL post due to the threat of gunfire and used a smoke screen to assist the evacuation, maintaining communication with UNIFIL throughout.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that attacks on peacekeepers may constitute war crimes, reminding all parties to respect international law.
This incident is part of ongoing tensions between Israel and UNIFIL, with Israel urging the peacekeepers to withdraw from areas where fighting is occurring. Since Israel's ground offensive against Hezbollah began on Sept. 30, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for Unifil's withdrawal to avoid being caught in crossfire, but Unifil has refused.
Israel has faced international criticism for previous injuries to UNIFIL troops. Meanwhile, the IDF has accused Hezbollah of using positions near UNIFIL sites to launch attacks. Cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel have continued since last October, when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israeli communities.
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