UN flag still flies as Israeli tanks breach peacekeeper base in Lebanon

Netanyahu calls for UN withdrawal, US urges diplomatic resolution as tensions soar

JERUSALEM:

The United Nations reported that Israeli tanks forced entry into a base of its peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, in southern Lebanon, marking the latest in a series of accusations regarding Israeli violations on Sunday.

According to UNIFIL, two Israeli Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate of the base and entered before dawn, after which shells exploded nearby, creating smoke that affected UN personnel.

The Israeli military offered a different account, claiming Hezbollah militants fired anti-tank missiles, wounding 25 Israeli soldiers. A tank evacuating the injured then accidentally backed into the UNIFIL post.

An Israeli military spokesperson, Nadav Shoshani, clarified that the tank was not deliberately storming the base but was retreating under heavy fire. The military insisted the use of a smoke screen during the operation posed no threat to the peacekeepers.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to withdraw UNIFIL from Hezbollah-controlled areas, accusing the peacekeepers of being used as human shields by the militant group. Despite this, Guterres paid tribute to UNIFIL's efforts and warned that attacks on peacekeepers could constitute war crimes.

UNIFIL has previously claimed that Israeli attacks on their equipment have hampered their monitoring capacity.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, in discussions with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, emphasised the need for Israel to ensure the safety of peacekeepers and to pursue a diplomatic solution to secure civilian safety on both sides of the border.

Hezbollah, which has been engaged in a renewed conflict with Israel since October, denied using peacekeepers as cover. On Sunday, the group launched a drone attack on an Israeli military camp, killing four soldiers and injuring several others.

The conflict has escalated significantly over the past weeks, resulting in heavy casualties and widespread displacement in Lebanon.

Israeli officials have criticised UNIFIL’s effectiveness in enforcing UN Resolution 1701, which mandates that southern Lebanon remains free of non-state military forces. The ongoing violence has raised concerns of further regional escalation, particularly involving Iran, which has signalled it would retaliate if attacked by Israel.