Israeli Tank destroyed UN peacekeepers Gate: Israeli tanks recently destroyed the main group of United Nations (UN) peacekeepers’ bases. This incident occurred when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave an ultimatum to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to withdraw peacekeepers from the area. The Lebanese Red Cross, on the other hand, said a team of its paramedics came under attack during a rescue operation in southern Lebanon, leaving them with minor injuries and two ambulances damaged.
Netanyahu gave ultimatum
In a video, Netanyahu said, “I appeal directly to the UN Secretary General. It is now necessary to remove UNIFIL from Hezbollah strongholds and fighting areas.” Netanyahu also repeated this message in English, “Mr. Secretary General, take UNIFIL forces out of danger, this must be done immediately.”
In two recent incidents, two UNIFIL peacekeepers were injured by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) fire. On Friday, 11 October, two peacekeepers were injured in an Israeli attack near an observation tower near UNIFIL’s main base Nakoura.
UNIFIL’s response
Following the attack on UNIFIL’s gate, the organization responded in a post on X: “Early this morning, peacekeepers at a UN post in Ramiyah observed three platoons of IDF soldiers crossing the Blue Line and entering Lebanon. At about 4:30, while the peacekeepers were in the shelters, two IDF Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate of the post and forced entry into the base. They demanded several times that the lights of the base be turned off.”
“The tanks left the scene approximately 45 minutes later after UNIFIL protested through our communication mechanism,” the organization wrote, adding that the IDF’s presence was posing a threat to peacekeepers. At approximately 6:40 p.m. , peacekeepers reported some gunfire at the same post, resulting in smoke. Fifteen peacekeepers suffered skin burns and digestive problems after coming in contact with the smoke. “The soldiers are being treated. Additionally, yesterday IDF troops stopped a vital UNIFIL logistics movement near Meis H. Geibel and denied that this vital movement could be completed.”
Answer sought from IDF
UNIFIL wrote, “For the fourth day we remind the IDF and all parties of their duties to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers and assets and to always respect the UN mandate. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and Resolution 1701 provides for freedom of movement within its area of operations. “And imposing any sanctions on it is a violation of Resolution 1701. We have demanded an explanation from the IDF on these shocking violations.”
Why is UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres not allowed to set foot in Israel?
On October 2, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced that Israel had banned United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres from entering the country, accusing him of “supporting” Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthi and Iran.
According to Katz, the decision to declare Guterres a “PNG” (persona non grata) was taken because he had not “unequivocally condemned” Iran’s missile attacks on Israel, and thus the UNSG “does not qualify” for Israel. To step on the earth.”
Katz also claimed that the UNSG had not condemned the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 last year, in which approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed, and 250 were taken hostage.
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