Iran Press/ West Asia: According to Al-Arabi TV, UNIFIL confirmed that three groups of Israeli soldiers crossed the Blue Line into Lebanese territory on Sunday. The force also reported that two Israeli Merkava tanks destroyed the gates of UNIFIL’s Ramyah base and forcefully entered the facility.
After 45 minutes, the Israeli forces withdrew. During the incident, 15 UN soldiers suffered from smoke inhalation caused by gunfire from the Israeli forces at the base.UNIFIL also reported that, on Saturday, Israeli troops halted a support convoy of its forces near the town of Mays al-Jabal, preventing them from carrying out their mission.
The peacekeeping force further stated: "We have requested an explanation from the Israeli army regarding these grave violations against our forces. Israel must uphold the safety and security of peacekeeping personnel."The Blue Line, established by the UN in 2000 to mark the boundary between Lebanon and Israeli-occupied Palestine, does not precisely align with official borders. Israeli forces have repeatedly attempted to cross it.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to justify the recent attacks on UNIFIL forces. He claimed, "I tell the UN Secretary-General that your refusal to evacuate UNIFIL soldiers has turned them into Hezbollah's hostages.
European leaders should focus their criticism on Hezbollah instead of Israel."Netanyahu, ignoring the recent Israeli assaults on UNIFIL, asserted, "We did everything we could to prevent harm to UNIFIL soldiers in southern Lebanon."
These statements followed UNIFIL's Saturday announcement that two Indonesian soldiers were injured in Thursday's shooting by Israeli tanks at a watchtower in the Naqoura base. Two Sri Lankan peacekeepers and another Indonesian soldier were also wounded in continued attacks on Friday.
UNIFIL comprises around 10,000 international peacekeepers operating in southern Lebanon, with about 1,200 of them from Italy. Established by the UN Security Council in March 1978, UNIFIL's mission is to confirm Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in asserting effective authority in the region.
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