UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon are in the crosshairs of Israel’s war on Hezbollah
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon says Israeli tanks “forcibly entered” one of their positions, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demands that they leave the area
BEIRUT (AP) — As the war between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah group escalates, a United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon is increasingly in the crosshairs, with Israeli troops firing at the peacekeepers' headquarters and positions several times in the past week.
The peacekeepers belong to the 10,000-strong United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, who have been patrolling the border area between Lebanon and Israel for nearly 50 years.
Now, Israel is demanding that they leave the area. International criticism is growing after Israeli forces repeatedly fired on the peacekeepers since the start of its ground operation in Lebanon two weeks ago. Five peacekeepers have been wounded in attacks that struck their positions in recent days, most of them blamed on Israeli forces.
Relations have worsened between Israel and the United Nations over the way Israel has conducted its war in Gaza. In an unprecedented move, Israel earlier this month said the U.N. secretary-general was persona non grata in Israel.
