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The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon has accused the Israeli military of deliberately destroying its property, calling it a “flagrant violation” of international law.
The latest allegation, issued on Friday, marks a continued escalation of tensions between the UN mission, known as UNIFIL, and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) along the border.
UNIFIL, tasked with monitoring the border region between Israel and Lebanon, stated that the IDF used excavators and bulldozers to destroy part of a fence and a concrete structure at a peacekeeping position in southern Lebanon on Thursday.
This incident follows a series of similar attacks, including the destruction of watchtowers and shooting at peacekeepers, that have raised concerns among international observers.
“The IDF’s deliberate and direct destruction of clearly identifiable UNIFIL property is a flagrant violation of international law and resolution 1701,” UNIFIL said in a statement, referring to the UN resolution that calls for a cessation of hostilities in the region following the 2006 Lebanon War.
The mission added that this attack was not a case of peacekeepers being caught in the crossfire but rather a direct action aimed at their facilities.
This accusation comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, which has been involved in clashes with Israeli forces since the end of September.
UNIFIL has raised concerns about the safety of its peacekeepers as the IDF continues its ground campaign across the border, accusing the peacekeeping force of inadvertently shielding Hezbollah fighters.
Israel has denied the allegations, claiming that the actions taken against UNIFIL’s properties were not intentional. Israeli officials argue that the UN mission has failed to properly monitor Hezbollah activities, which they accuse of operating near UNIFIL bases.
The Israeli military also stated that peacekeepers had witnessed the removal of a barrel marking the “blue line” – the boundary separating the two countries. UNIFIL confirmed this observation but did not provide further details.
In its latest incident report, UNIFIL also condemned an Israeli drone strike that injured six Malaysian peacekeepers in southern Lebanon on Wednesday.
The attack, which targeted a vehicle carrying the peacekeepers, resulted in three Lebanese casualties, including two civilians.
Israel claimed that it had targeted a Hezbollah training center situated near a UNIFIL base, which it said was used for preparing launchers aimed at Israeli communities.
The UN peacekeeping force, which consists of about 10,000 personnel, has been stationed in southern Lebanon since the 1978 Israeli invasion and continues to play a vital role in maintaining peace in the region.
Despite the increasing challenges and pressure to vacate, UNIFIL has vowed to stay in Lebanon and continue its monitoring mission.
Israel’s stance on UNIFIL has been controversial, with Israeli authorities urging the mission to leave the area for its own safety.
However, the UN peacekeeping force has rejected these calls, citing its mandate to maintain stability and monitor compliance with international resolutions.
The growing friction between Israel and UNIFIL highlights the complexity of peacekeeping operations in volatile regions, where the lines between defense, security, and international law often blur.
The international community continues to call for restraint on all sides as concerns mount over the potential for further escalation along the Lebanese-Israeli border.