Blue helmets in Lebanon “will remain in positions” – DW – 10/15/2024

The United Nations (UN) Blue Helmets will remain in their positions in Lebanon, despite calls by Israel to relocate them, amid escalating fighting between Israel and Hezbollah and the wounding of five of its members, as of Monday (10/14 /2024) was said to be. ) by the head of the organization’s peacekeeping force.

“It has been decided that the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) will remain in all its current positions despite calls from the Israel Defense Forces to leave positions near Israel. blue line” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, head of the UN peacekeeping force.

“I want to emphasize that this decision still stands. This was confirmed this morning by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres,” Lacroix said.

Netanyahu: It is a “complete lie” that Israel attacked UNIFIL

For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s call for peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon to withdraw from areas near the border between the two countries, insisting that it is “completely wrong” to Israeli forces have attacked UNIFIL. However, UNIFIL accused Israeli forces of “repeatedly” and “deliberately” firing against its facilities, injuring five blue helmets, prompting strong criticism from Israel.

This Monday, Netanyahu said that Hezbollah “uses UNIFIL facilities and positions as cover” to carry out its attacks against Israel.

For its part, the UN Security Council expressed – unanimously for the first time – “its great concern following the attacks on several UNIFIL positions in recent days”, the rotating presidency of the Council, which is currently held by the Swiss Ambassador to the UN , said. Pascal Barrisville.

In the statement, which did not mention Israel, the 15 council members “urged all parties to respect the security of UNIFIL personnel and facilities” and reminded that UN peacekeepers and facilities should never be attacked. .

Lacroix responded, “We have just heard a unanimous expression of support for UNIFIL from members of the UN Security Council. Of course, this is very encouraging.”

In 2000, UNIFIL was established blue line – A 120-kilometre strip along southern Lebanon – to ensure the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. according to resolution 1701 According to the Security Council, only about 9,500 troops from UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army should be deployed to southern Lebanon.

Ama (AFP, Reuters)