UN accuses Israel of violating international law by breaching southern Lebanon position

UN peacekeepers in Lebanon said Sunday the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) breached one of its positions in southern Lebanon, in violation of international law.

“At around 4:30 a.m., while peacekeepers were in shelters, two IDF Merkava tanks destroyed the position’s main gate and forcibly entered the position. They requested multiple times that the base turn out its lights,” the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, said in a statement on Sunday.

“The tanks left about 45 minutes later after UNIFIL protested through our liaison mechanism, saying that IDF presence was putting peacekeepers in danger.”

UNIFIL said the IDF’s actions are a “flagrant violation of international law and Security Council resolution 1701 (2006),” adding that it has requested an explanation from the Israeli military over what it called “shocking violations.”

In addition to its position being breached, UNIFIL also said 15 of its soldiers are receiving treatment after another incident in the same area.

“At around 6:40 a.m., peacekeepers at the same position reported the firing of several rounds 100 metres north, which emitted smoke. Despite putting on protective masks, fifteen peacekeepers suffered effects, including skin irritation and gastrointestinal reactions, after the smoke entered the camp,” the statement read, without indicating who had fired the rounds.

Lastly, UNIFIL said the IDF had stopped what it said was a “critical logistical movement” near Meiss el Jabal, denying it passage.

“We remind the IDF and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times,” the statement also read.

Credit: cnn.com

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