UNIFIL condemns Israeli forces for interfering with its duties
Xinhua News Agency, Beirut, April 12 (Reporter Shen Feng, Cao Changhao) The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) issued a statement on the 12th, condemning the Israel Defense Forces for colliding with its vehicles and damaging its surveillance equipment in southern Lebanon.
The statement said that the Israeli military twice drove "Merkava" tanks into UNIFIL vehicles, one of which caused serious damage to the vehicle. The Israeli military also blocked the road from the town of Bayyada to the UNIFIL positions.
The statement noted that in the past week, the Israeli military had repeatedly conducted "warning shots" in the area, hitting and damaging clearly marked UNIFIL vehicles. One bullet was reported to have come within about one meter of peacekeeping personnel who had already exited their vehicle.
The statement also mentioned that the Israeli military has recently restricted the freedom of movement of peacekeeping personnel and damaged surveillance camera equipment at several positions along the temporary boundary "Blue Line" between Lebanon and Israel, including the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura. The Israeli military also spray-painted some windows of the headquarters' main entrance, obstructing UNIFIL's observation of the surrounding area.
UNIFIL stated that these actions jeopardize the safety of peacekeeping personnel, interfere with their duties, and violate United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) collided with UNIFIL vehicles in Bayada, Lebanon, on April 12, 2023, damaging monitoring equipment. The IDF restricted the movement of UN peacekeepers and fired warning shots that struck UNIFIL vehicles. These actions are viewed as a threat to the safety of peacekeepers and a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
- Israeli forces collided with UNIFIL vehicles using Merkava tanks.
- IDF restricted UNIFIL's freedom of movement and damaged monitoring equipment.
- Warning shots were fired by IDF, hitting UNIFIL vehicles.
- IDF actions are seen as a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.