‘Get out of harm’s way’ – UNIFIL doubles down on refusal to leave combat zone in southern Lebanon

Netanyahu: Withdrawal is ‘best way to assure safety of UNIFIL personnel’

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Despite repeated requests from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the IDF, the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) is refusing to leave the active combat zones in southern Lebanon, its chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix reiterated Monday.

“The decision was made that UNIFIL would currently stay in all its positions in spite of the calls that were made by the Israel Defense Forces to vacate the positions that are in the vicinity of the Blue Line,” said under-secretary-general for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix.

UNIFIL claimed that five of its soldiers were lightly wounded amid the fighting between the Israel Defense Forces and and Hezbollah terrorists in recent days, blaming some of the injuries on Israeli fire.

I reiterated today that @UNIFIL currently remains in all its positions in line with its mandate. We are in constant contact with all the parties. pic.twitter.com/eoGa6ghRRZ
— Jean-Pierre Lacroix (@LacroixUN) October 15, 2024

On Sunday, UNIFIL claimed that Israeli tanks had broken into one of its positions. The IDF later explained that a tank backed up several meters into a UNIFIL position amid heavy anti-tank missile fire from Hezbollah while trying to evacuate wounded soldiers.

“The charge that Israel deliberately attacked UNIFIL personnel is completely false. It's exactly the opposite. Israel repeatedly asked UNIFIL to get out of harm’s way,” Netanyahu insisted in a video message.

“It repeatedly asked them to temporarily leave the combat zone, which is right next to Israel’s border with Lebanon. In fact, on the day that Israel began its ground operation next to our border with Lebanon, we asked them specifically, 'Please leave this area so you're not harmed.' Israel is not fighting UNIFIL.”

“Hezbollah uses UNIFIL facilities and positions as cover while it attacks Israeli cities and communities. These attacks have claimed the lives of many Israelis, including yesterday. Israel has every right to defend itself against Hezbollah and will continue to do so,” the prime minister stated.

“We regret any harm done to UNIFIL personnel and the IDF is doing its utmost to prevent such incidents. But the best way to assure the safety of UNIFIL personnel is for UNIFIL to heed Israel's request and to temporarily get out of harm’s way.”

On Sunday, Netanyahu addressed UN Sec.-Gen. António Guterres directly and told him to remove the UNIFIL peacekeepers from the area, but his request was denied.

UNIFIL Spokesman Andrea Tenenti later confirmed: “We are staying. We are in the south of Lebanon under a security council mandate, so it’s important to keep an international presence and to keep the UN flag in the area.”

“There were some deliberate attacks against our troops…and the parties have an obligation to protect peacekeepers and ensure the safety and security of our troops,” he said.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council weighed in on the issue, unanimously expressing “strong concerns” regarding the situation.

“Against the backdrop of ongoing hostilities along the Blue Line, the members of the Security Council expressed their strong concerns after several UNIFIL positions came under fire in the past days,” according to the council’s rotating presidency, currently held by Switzerland.

Its 15 members “urged all parties to respect the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and premises.”