Israel's ambassador to the United Nations has expressed concern over the presence of UNIFIL peacekeepers in southern Lebanon amid ongoing clashes between the Israeli military and Hezbollah militants. The ambassador, Danny Danon, criticized the UN for not relocating UNIFIL troops away from areas where Hezbollah fighters are believed to be operating.
Danon accused Hezbollah of using UNIFIL outposts to hide and launch attacks, calling for the peacekeepers to move at least five kilometers north of the border to ensure their safety and avoid being caught in the crossfire. He emphasized that Israel is actively engaging in discussions with UN officials to address this issue.
Furthermore, Danon mentioned an ongoing investigation into an incident involving UNIFIL peacekeepers, although specific details about the incident were not provided. This comes after reports that UNIFIL personnel were injured when an Israeli tank fired towards an observation tower at the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, a city in southern Lebanon.
The situation underscores the complex dynamics at play in the region, with tensions running high between Israel and Hezbollah. The role of UNIFIL in maintaining peace and stability in southern Lebanon has come under scrutiny, with calls for greater vigilance and precaution to prevent further escalations of violence.