Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a strong warning to the United Nations regarding the safety of UNIFIL peacekeeping forces stationed in Lebanon. In a video statement, Netanyahu called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to immediately evacuate UNIFIL from Hezbollah strongholds and combat zones.
Netanyahu expressed concern that the presence of UNIFIL peacekeepers in these areas was putting them in harm's way and accused Hezbollah of using them as human shields. He emphasized that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had repeatedly requested UNIFIL to redeploy but had been met with refusals.
The Israeli prime minister highlighted the recent injuries sustained by UNIFIL soldiers, stating that their continued presence in dangerous zones made them vulnerable to further harm. Netanyahu stressed the urgency of removing the peacekeepers from these high-risk areas to ensure their safety.
Netanyahu's plea comes in the wake of five UNIFIL peacekeepers being injured by Israeli fire in southern Lebanon within a span of two days. These incidents have sparked international condemnation and raised concerns about the safety of UN personnel in the region.
The Israeli government is actively working to prevent further harm to UNIFIL soldiers and has reiterated the necessity of immediate action to relocate them away from Hezbollah strongholds. Netanyahu's direct appeal to the UN Secretary-General underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for swift intervention to protect the lives of peacekeepers.
