Peacekeepers in peril: Why Israel is targeting Unifil, the UN force in Lebanon, amid global criticism

A day after two Indonesian peacekeepers were wounded by Israeli fire in Lebanon, Israeli forces launched an attack on the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) in southern Lebanon on Friday, injuring several Sri Lankan peacekeepers stationed there.

According to Lebanon’s official National News Agency, an Israeli Merkava tank targeted a Unifil observation tower along the main route between Tyre and Naqoura, adjacent to a Lebanese Army checkpoint. This strike injured the Sri Lankan personnel assigned to that position. Additionally, Israeli artillery fire hit the main entrance of the Unifil Command Centre in Naqoura, causing structural damage. This incident marks the second attack on the Unifil Command Centre in just three days.

Unifil has accused the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) of deliberately targeting its positions, including a surveillance camera at positions 1-31 in Labbouneh over the past two days. The IDF allegedly fired at this camera on Wednesday and subsequently struck a bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering on Thursday.

More from World

Nepal's new PM pays homage to people died during the Gen Z protest in her first national address This Week in Explainers: How recovering from Gen-Z protests is a Himalayan task for Nepal

International criticism

A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed grave concern over the attacks, condemning them as serious breaches of international humanitarian law and violations of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. The spokesperson emphasised that any intentional assaults on peacekeepers are wholly unacceptable and must cease immediately.

Unifil, which comprises approximately 10,000 peacekeepers tasked with maintaining peace in southern Lebanon, reported that IDF forces opened fire on three separate UN peacekeeping positions on Thursday.

Italy’s Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, described the attacks as potential war crimes, demanding an explanation from Israeli officials and lodging formal protests with both Israel’s Defence Minister and its ambassador to Italy. An Israeli diplomat told The Times of Israel that Israel does not anticipate further sanctions in response to these incidents. Nevertheless, several nations, including Italy and Indonesia, have voiced strong condemnation of the strikes, with Indonesia’s UN Ambassador Hari Prabowo asserting that the attacks demonstrate Israel’s disregard for international law.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

‘The cries of this widow will echo’: In first public remarks, Erika Kirk warns Charlie’s killers they’ve ‘unleashed a fire’

Trump urges Nato to back sanctions on Russia, calls for 50–100% tariffs on China

A National Security Council spokesperson in Washington conveyed the White House’s deep concern. While acknowledging Israel’s operations near the Blue Line aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure, the spokesperson stressed the critical need to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers. France also reminded Israel of its responsibility to protect peacekeepers and expressed deep concern over the Israeli strikes, confirming that none of its 700 troops in the mission had been injured. Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the incident as a grave violation of international law.

During a UN Security Council meeting, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the head of UN peacekeeping, warned that peacekeepers were facing serious risks. He reported that 300 Unifil troops had been temporarily relocated to larger bases, with another 200 expected to follow. Lacroix noted that Unifil forces are now largely confined to their bases, and one Unifil contractor has already been killed. A Unifil spokesperson informed Walla news that the multinational force declined an Israeli request to evacuate posts along the Israeli-Lebanon border.

Unifil’s purpose

Established to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon following the 1978 conflict, Unifil’s mandate was expanded under Resolution 1701 after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. This expansion allowed peacekeepers to deploy along the Israeli-Lebanese border and support the Lebanese military’s authority in the region.

Resolution 1701 stipulates that southern Lebanon should be free of armed groups, except for the Lebanese Armed Forces. Israel has accused both Unifil and the Lebanese military of failing to prevent Hezbollah from amassing weapons and developing infrastructure in southern Lebanon. In a recent letter to the UN Security Council, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz criticised Unifil for its perceived ineffectiveness and included a map showing the proximity of a Hezbollah tunnel discovered by Israeli forces to a UN base.

Katz asserted, “Israel has the right to take all necessary measures to protect itself and its citizens from ongoing hostilities by Hezbollah.” He emphasised that while Israel does not seek full-scale war, it will take all necessary actions to restore security along its northern border.

Lacroix stated that both Israel and Lebanon must ensure adherence to the resolution. He reiterated that while Unifil supports the implementation of Resolution 1701, the responsibility lies with the parties involved.

The situation remains precarious as Unifil operates within a challenging environment amid ongoing military actions. Since September 23, Israel has conducted extensive airstrikes across Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah installations. These strikes have resulted in at least 1,351 deaths, over 3,800 injuries, and the displacement of more than 1.2 million people.

This aerial campaign marks a significant escalation following a year of cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, coinciding with Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip, which has reportedly claimed over 42,000 lives, predominantly among women and children, since a Hamas attack last year.

Despite international warnings of a potential wider conflict, Israel intensified its military operations on October 1 by initiating a ground incursion into southern Lebanon.