UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a stark warning Sunday, stating that attacks on peacekeepers in Lebanon may ‘constitute war crimes’ amid rising tensions in the region. 🔥 The alert follows reports of Israeli tanks breaching a UN peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon, sparking global concern.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric emphasized that ‘UNIFIL personnel and premises must never be targeted’, calling such acts violations of international law. The incident marks the latest escalation in months of clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants. 💥
UNIFIL reported that Israeli tanks destroyed a base gate and blocked movements, part of Israel’s ‘Arrows of the North’ air campaign. At least five peacekeepers have been injured recently. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu urged the UN to relocate peacekeepers, accusing Hezbollah of using them as ‘human shields’—a claim UNIFIL denies. 🙅♂️
UNIFIL, deployed since 1978 to monitor Lebanon-Israel tensions, remains defiant. ‘We stay to keep the UN flag flying,’ said spokesperson Andrea Tenenti, highlighting their role in reporting to the Security Council. 🌐
As global leaders call for de-escalation, the spotlight is on whether diplomatic efforts can prevent further violence. Stay tuned for updates. ✨
