Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for a UN inquiry into Israeli attacks on peacekeepers belonging to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
HRW said that Israel’s attacks on UN peacekeepers could be a violation of the laws of war, as peacekeepers, including armed members, are civilians.
It further called for the UN to “urgently establish” an international investigation in Lebanon and Israel and that their results be made public.
This came after three separate attacks on UNIFIL personnel in South Lebanon.
On Friday, October 11, 2024, morning, a UNIFIL outpost in south Lebanon came under fire.
On Thursday, October 10, 2024, its headquarters in Naqoura had been repeatedly hit, injuring two peacekeepers after an Israeli tank fired at an observation tower on the base.
Also, UNIFIL disclosed that the Israeli military shot at a UNIFIL position where peacekeepers were sheltering on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, and an Israeli drone flew up to the entrance of the bunker where they were sheltering.
UNIFIL said that its more than 10,400 peacekeepers would remain in south Lebanon until the situation becomes impossible for them to operate.
Peacekeepers are already severely restricted in their movements due to Israeli troop presence in south Lebanon.
The peacekeeping force has been present in south Lebanon since 1978, originally designed to confirm Israel’s withdrawal and ensure that armed groups could not use the area as a launching pad for attacks against Israel.
Since 2006, it has been tasked with an observation mission to ensure that armed groups do not operate in the area, in line with UN Resolution 1701 which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
UNIFIL also had a focus on facilitating humanitarian access and aid to south Lebanon, a mission it continues to this day.
Lama Fakih, Middle East and North Africa Director at Human Rights Watch, said that with over 2,000 people killed and over one million people displaced in Lebanon since mid-September, “it is crucial for UNIFIL to be allowed to fulfil its civilian protection and humanitarian functions.”
More Than 100 Medics And Emergency Workers Killed In Lebanon Conflict Over Past Year
Also on Friday, the UN human rights office stated that more than 100 medics and emergency workers had been killed in Lebanon since a conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began a year ago.
The conflict erupted when the Iran-backed group opened fire in support of Palestinian militant group, Hamas at the start of the Gaza war. It has intensified dramatically in recent weeks, with Israel bombing parts of Beirut.
Citing figures she said were compiled by the United Nations humanitarian office, spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani made the concerning disclosure at a UN briefing. “We’ve had several reports also of airstrikes targeting other medical centres and of paramedics as well as firefighters being killed,” she said.
Additionally, World Health Organization (WHO) Spokesperson, Christian Lindmeier said that since 17 September, there had been 18 attacks on health facilities in Lebanon, killing 72 health workers.
Israel says it targets military capabilities in Lebanon and Gaza and takes steps to mitigate the risk of harm to civilians. It accuses Hezbollah, like Hamas, of hiding among civilians, which they deny.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati called for a UN resolution demanding an “immediate” ceasefire with Israel.
He urged Israel to stop its attacks on the civilian population and residential areas, saying that 139 people were killed in strikes yesterday.
“All of them were civilians. This is no longer acceptable. Where is the humanity? What reality are we living in?”
Najib Mikati
Mikati also said that the Israeli attack on the UN peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon is a “denounced crime.”
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