Aakhir Tak – In Shorts
The United Nations reported on Sunday that Israeli tanks burst into a peacekeeper base in Lebanon. Following the attack, 15 UN personnel required treatment. The Israeli military denied the claim, stating it was an emergency situation.
Aakhir Tak – In Depth
The United Nations (UN) announced on Sunday that Israeli tanks had breached the gates of a peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon. This accusation marks the latest in a series of claims against Israel’s actions, which have also been condemned by its allies. The UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) stated that two Israeli Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate and forcibly entered the base before dawn on Sunday. After the tanks exited, shells exploded 100 meters away, releasing smoke that sickened UN personnel, resulting in 15 individuals needing treatment, even while wearing gas masks.
In its account, the Israeli military claimed that militants from the Iran-backed group Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at Israeli troops, injuring 25 soldiers. The attack occurred close to a UNIFIL post, and a tank assisting in the evacuation of casualties then reversed into the UNIFIL post. The Israeli military’s international spokesperson stated, “It is not storming a base. It was a tank under heavy fire, backing up to get out of harm’s way.”
In a statement to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “The time has come for you to withdraw UNIFIL from Hezbollah strongholds.” He insisted that Hezbollah was using the proximity of peacekeepers for protection. Hezbollah has denied Israel’s accusations.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, usually one of Israel’s strongest supporters, condemned the “unacceptable” Israeli attacks during a phone call with Netanyahu. Israeli officials contend that UNIFIL has failed to uphold its mission under UN Resolution 1701, which calls for the southern Lebanon border area to be free from weapons or troops, other than those of the Lebanese state.
The presence of UNIFIL puts peacekeepers from 50 different countries at risk, and Lebanon’s government reports over 2,100 deaths in recent weeks.
