Fri Nov 08 19:56:29 UTC 2024: ## Israel Accused of Attacking UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon Despite Denials
**BEIRUT, Lebanon** – The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has accused the Israeli military of deliberately destroying its property, the latest incident in a growing pattern of attacks against UN peacekeepers.
On Thursday, Israeli bulldozers destroyed a fence and a concrete structure at a UN base in Ras Naqoura, according to UNIFIL. Despite footage of the incident published online, the Israeli military denied any activity took place within the UN position.
UNIFIL condemned the incident as a “flagrant violation of international law” and called for an end to Israeli aggression against its personnel.
Since the beginning of the recent conflict, Israel has repeatedly demanded that UN peacekeepers vacate their positions, claiming it hampers their military operations. This has resulted in 40 attacks on UNIFIL positions, eight of which were confirmed to be by the Israeli army.
“This incident, like others before it, is not a matter of peacekeepers getting caught in the crossfire,” said a UNIFIL spokesperson. “It is deliberate and direct action.”
The Israeli military has also targeted UNIFIL’s mission to demarcate the border between Israel and Lebanon, removing blue barrels that mark the “Blue Line” and requesting the evacuation of 29 UN positions near the border.
The attacks on UNIFIL come amidst a wider escalation of conflict in the region. Israeli airstrikes continue to pound Lebanon, killing civilians and injuring many more. The city of Tyre, a historical site, was particularly hard hit on Friday night.
The death toll from Israeli attacks in Lebanon has surpassed 3,100 since October 2023, with more than 13,000 injured, including over 600 women and 190 children. Hospitals have been targeted 65 times, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict on the civilian population.
Meanwhile, Israeli attacks in Gaza continue to claim lives, with more than 43,000 killed, including a majority of children and women. The dire situation in Gaza has raised concerns about a looming famine.
The international community, including the European Union, has condemned the violence and urged all parties to ensure the safety of UN personnel and allow them to carry out their peacekeeping mission.
First Piper 