Hezbollah has leveled serious accusations against Israel, claiming that Israeli forces are using United Nations peacekeepers as human shields in southern Lebanon. This allegation follows reports of unusual movements by Israeli troops near a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) site on the outskirts of the border town of Maroun al-Ras.
Hezbollah stated that its fighters observed Israeli troops maneuvering behind the UNIFIL position, prompting the group to instruct its forces not to engage in order to protect the lives of international soldiers. The organization asserted, “The Israeli enemy is trying to use the UNIFIL international forces as human shields to cover up its failure to advance towards the village.”
In light of these developments, UNIFIL has expressed “deep concern” regarding the proximity of Israeli troops to one of its peacekeeping posts staffed by Irish and Polish soldiers. The mission reported that over 30 peacekeepers have been unable to leave their outpost for several days due to intensified fighting between Hezbollah and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), describing the situation as an “extremely dangerous development.”
Andrea Tenenti, a spokesperson for UNIFIL, confirmed that satellite imagery shows approximately 20 Israeli military vehicles positioned at newly established sites near the UN base. He noted that discussions are ongoing with the IDF about ensuring the safety of peacekeepers.
The accusations come amid a backdrop of escalating violence along the Israel-Lebanon border. Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for multiple missile strikes against northern Israel, including areas near Haifa. In retaliation, Israel has intensified its military operations in southern Lebanon, targeting locations close to Hezbollah strongholds.
Reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes have hit areas near Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport and other strategic locations associated with Hezbollah. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health has reported significant casualties, with over 2,000 lives lost and nearly 10,000 injured since hostilities escalated.
The ongoing conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis, displacing more than one million people from southern Lebanese towns and villages. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has highlighted the urgent need for assistance, while calls for international intervention grow louder.
The situation has raised alarms within the international community regarding the safety of UN peacekeepers and the potential for further escalation in hostilities. Nick Birnback, a spokesperson for UN peacekeeping operations, warned that compromising the safety of peacekeepers undermines their ability to carry out mandated tasks.
