The opening of a Hezbollah tunnel that the Israeli army says is 200 meters from a UN submit and 1 km from Lebanon’s border with Israel, in southern Lebanon, on October 13, 2024. | Picture credit score: Reuters
Within the context of consecutive assaults towards the United Nations Interim Pressure in Lebanon (UNIFIL), UN Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres warned that assaults towards peacekeepers violate worldwide legislation and “might represent against the law.” of conflict.” In the meantime, US Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin, in a phone dialog together with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, reiterated the significance of making certain the safety of UNIFIL forces and the Lebanese armed forces.
“The safety of UN personnel and belongings should be ensured. The inviolability of United Nations amenities should be revered always. Assaults on peacekeepers violate worldwide legislation and will represent a conflict crime. “UNIFIL personnel and amenities ought to by no means be attacked,” Guterres stated on the social community X.
When Israeli forces in Lebanon had been hit by a Hezbollah drone strike that killed 4 troopers, Austin bolstered the necessity to “transfer from army operations in Lebanon to a diplomatic monitor as quickly as doable.” “I additionally talked about the dire humanitarian scenario in Gaza and pressured that measures should be taken to handle it. “I reaffirmed america’ unwavering, enduring and ironclad dedication to Israel’s safety,” he stated in a submit on X at 7 a.m. Monday.
Additionally learn | Israeli forces kill two Lebanese troopers, wound two UN peacekeepers in separate assaults
Within the context of the continuing hostilities in southern Lebanon and regardless of the assaults which have hit UN positions, wounding a number of peacekeepers in latest days, “UNIFIL peacekeepers stay in all positions and the UN flag continues to fly,” stated spokesman Stéphane Dujarric. as a result of the Secretary Common stated in an announcement.
He stated that UNIFIL regularly evaluates and critiques all elements to find out its posture and presence and that the mission is taking all doable measures to make sure the safety of its peacekeepers. “The function of UNIFIL and its presence in southern Lebanon is remitted by the UN Safety Council. On this context, UNIFIL is dedicated to preserving its potential to assist a diplomatic answer primarily based on decision 1701, which is the one doable approach ahead.”
Referring to Sunday’s incident during which Israeli armored automobiles stormed the doorway to a UN place, Mr. Dujarric stated: “The Secretary-Common reiterates that the safety of UN personnel and property should be ensured and that the “The inviolability of UN amenities should be revered always with out reservation.”
The spokesperson stated the SG calls on all events, together with the Israel Protection Forces (IDF), to chorus from any motion that places our peacekeepers in danger.
UNIFIL, which has greater than 10,000 peacekeepers from 50 nations, was attacked for 4 consecutive days, from Thursday to Sunday, injuring a number of peacekeepers.
Printed – October 15, 2024 04:12 am IST