The UN mission in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Sunday accused the Israeli army of having “deliberately” demolished an observation tower and the perimeter fence of one of its positions in the south of the country, on the border with Israel.
“Earlier today, an IDF (Israel Defense Forces) bulldozer deliberately demolished an observation tower and the perimeter fence of a UN position in Marwahin (southern Lebanon),” the mission said in a brief statement. In the note, UNIFIL said the Israeli army has “repeatedly requested that it leave its positions along the Blue Line and deliberately damaged UN positions.”
The UN mission reiterated that failure to protect facilities, as well as endangering the security of peacekeeping forces, is a problem. “blatant violation of international law” and of “international humanitarian law”in addition to Security Council Resolution 1701.
UNIFIL statement:
Earlier in the day, an IDF bulldozer deliberately demolished an observation tower and perimeter fence of a UN position in Marwahin.
– UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) October 20, 2024
“Despite the pressure on the mission and on our troop-contributing countries, peacekeeping forces remain in all positions. We will continue to carry out the monitoring and reporting tasks entrusted to us,” he said. he added.
UNIFIL reminded “all actors” in the conflict, without directly mentioning Israel, that they have the obligation to “ensure security” personnel and property of the United Nations and to respect the inviolability of United Nations facilities at all times.
Last Wednesday, the Israeli army opened “direct and apparently deliberate fire” against one of the mission’s positions near Kafer Kela, where an Israeli Merkava tank fired on an observation tower and destroyed two surveillance cameras .
