UN peacekeepers remain in southern Lebanon amid Israeli warnings
- UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon are maintaining their positions amid warnings from Israeli forces.
- The situation has escalated with repeated Israeli strikes on UN bases and increased rocket activity from Hezbollah.
- The decision to stay put was made unanimously for humanitarian and monitoring purposes, reflecting ongoing challenges in the region.
On October 18, 2024, UN peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon confirmed they would maintain their current positions, despite ongoing warnings from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to relocate. A UN spokesman noted that this decision was reached unanimously by the troop-contributing nations and the Security Council. The peacekeepers, numbering approximately 10,000, are tasked with monitoring the volatile area and facilitating humanitarian aid amid escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. In recent weeks, hostilities have intensified, resulting in Israeli forces repeatedly targeting UN positions. An Israeli tank recently fired directly at UN headquarters in Naqoura, injuring peacekeepers and damaging infrastructure. Moreover, there have been increased threats from Hezbollah, with rockets being launched towards Israel from areas near UNIFIL installations. Safety remains the priority for UNIFIL, which has had to reduce its patrols near the Lebanon-Israel border due to worsening security. The spokesperson described the dangerous situation, highlighting the significant number of projectiles crossing the Blue Line and the need for peacekeepers to take shelter for protection. Israel has criticized UNIFIL’s effectiveness in blocking Hezbollah’s military operations and accused the group of utilizing locations near UN bases for military purposes. Despite these challenges, the UN peacekeepers have not engaged in self-defense measures, emphasizing the importance of remaining neutral in the ongoing conflict.