UNIFIL peacekeepers will “remain in all positions” despite attacks by Israel that have injured at least five of them in recent days, according to Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres.
Dujarric issued the statement after Netanyahu urged the U.N.’s peacekeeping forces to leave southern Lebanon, saying they are providing a “human shield” to Hezbollah.
Dujarric said that the U.N. flag will continue to fly in southern Lebanon and that the safety of U.N. personnel must be guaranteed and respected at all times.
“The Secretary-General reiterates that UNIFIL personnel and its premises must never be targeted,” Dujarric said. “Attacks against peacekeepers are in breach of international law, including international humanitarian law. They may constitute a war crime.”
Dujarric also mentioned a “deeply worrying” incident earlier today when IDF tanks “deliberately breached” the doors of a U.N. position. UNIFIL has asked the IDF for an explanation of the violation, which injured peacekeepers, and the IDF disputed the account, saying no danger was posed to the peacekeepers.
“The mission is taking all possible measures to ensure the protection of its peacekeepers,” Dujarric said. “UNIFIL’s role and its presence in southern Lebanon is mandated by the UN Security Council. In this context, UNIFIL is committed to preserving its capacity to support a diplomatic solution based on resolution 1701, which is the only possible way forward.”
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