Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warns Antonio Guterres: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has immediately requested UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to take the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) deployed in the southern region of Lebanon out of danger.
He gave this statement recently in a video statement. Netanyahu said, “I appeal directly to the UN Secretary General. It is now necessary to remove UNIFIL from Hezbollah’s 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.”
Two peacekeepers injured in IDF shelling
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. Additionally, Israeli bulldozers demolished barriers near UN positions.
Netanyahu said that keeping the peacekeepers in their positions acts as a human shield for Hezbollah. He said that due to this the danger to both peacekeepers and Israeli soldiers has increased.
Criticism of America and European countries
The US and European countries have appealed to Israel to take necessary steps to keep the peacekeepers safe, although Netanyahu said that European leaders are putting pressure in the wrong place. “Their focus should be on Hezbollah, which uses peacekeepers as human shields,” Netanyahu said.
The head of the Irish Defense Forces, General Sean Clancy, said on Friday that the tank fire on the observation tower was deliberate. He said, “This was a direct shelling on a very small target, which cannot be considered a coincidence.”
Israel’s tension with Guterres increased
Tension between Israel and Guterres has increased further since October 7. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz recently declared Guterres “person undesirable” and barred him from entering Israel. According to a poll, 87% of the Israeli public supports this decision.
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