The United Nations Interim Force deployed in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) warned on Saturday October 12 of the threat of a “catastrophic” regional conflict, while the Israeli army is fighting Lebanese Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas, allies of Iran. At least 40 countries have urged protection of peacekeepers, five of whom were injured in 48 hours. The war in Gaza, triggered by an unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023 on Israeli soil, and that in Lebanon are accompanied by an escalation between Israel and Iran, with Israeli leaders threatening to retaliate to an Iranian attack missiles on October 1.
Information to remember
⇒ In Lebanon, UNIFIL warns of a “catastrophic” regional conflict
⇒ Lebanon: 40 countries urge to protect peacekeepers from UN force
⇒ The Red Cross reports a strike that injured rescuers on mission in southern Lebanon
Israel says it will ‘continue’ to work to avoid harming UN forces
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant assured his American counterpart Lloyd Austin that Israel would continue to take measures to protect peacekeepers deployed in southern Lebanon, according to a statement from his ministry published this Sunday. During their conversation, Yoav Gallant stressed that despite “the operational challenge” constituted by the presence of Hezbollah “near UNIFIL positions”, the Israeli army would continue “to take measures to avoid harming the troops of the UNIFIL” (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), according to the press release.
Lebanon: Hezbollah says it targeted Israeli soldiers in border village
Hezbollah said it fired “rockets” this Sunday at Israeli soldiers in the village of Maroun al-Ras, near the border between Lebanon and Israel, which recently launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon. Earlier, the Lebanese pro-Iranian movement said its men were confronting Israeli troops trying to infiltrate near another border village, a few kilometers west of Maroun al-Ras.
In Lebanon, UNIFIL warns of “catastrophic” regional conflict
UNIFIL warned on Saturday of a “catastrophic” regional conflict, as the Israeli army fights Lebanese Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas. At least 15 people were killed on Saturday in Israeli raids on three villages north and south of Beirut, outside the strongholds of pro-Iranian Hezbollah, the Lebanese Ministry of Health reported in the evening.
The war in Gaza, triggered by an unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023 on Israeli soil, and that in Lebanon are accompanied by a escalation between Israel and Iranwith Israeli leaders threatening to retaliate against an Iranian missile attack on October 1.
Lebanon: 40 countries urge to protect peacekeepers
At least 40 countries on Saturday gave their “full” support to the United Nations Interim Force deployed in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) and urged them to protect the Blue Helmets, five of whom were injured in 48 hours. “We strongly condemn the latest attacks against peacekeepers. Such actions must stop immediately and be properly investigated,” wrote 34 countries contributing to this UN Force, according to a letter broadcast on the X account of the Polish mission to the United Nations.
And “we urge all parties to the conflict to respect the presence of UNIFIL, implying guaranteeing the safety and security of all its employees, at all times”, continue these States, to which were added six others, including, Germany and India. Israel found itself under fire on Friday after UNIFIL accused Israeli troops of “repeatedly” and “deliberately” firing on its positions.
Red Cross reports strike injuring rescuers on mission in southern Lebanon
The Red Cross reported this Sunday that several of its rescuers were injured in a strike on a house in southern Lebanon, where they had been dispatched “in coordination” with the UN mission which acts as a buffer between Israel and the cedar country.
“While the team was looking for victims to rescue, the house was hit for the second time, causing concussions to the rescuers and damage to two ambulances,” said the Lebanese Red Cross. This team, she adds, “had been sent […] in coordination with UNIFIL deployed in southern Lebanon, daily bombarded by Israeli aircraft.
Israel says it intercepted five projectiles coming from Lebanon
The Israeli army said it had intercepted “around five projectiles” this Sunday coming from Lebanon into northern Israel. “The sirens sounded between 08:59 and 09:01 in the Upper Galilee, Central Galilee, Western Galilee, Haifa Bay and Carmel regions. Around five projectiles fired from Lebanon were identified and successfully intercepted ” the army said in a statement.
State media report Israeli strike destroying mosque in southern Lebanon
Lebanese state media reported an Israeli airstrike on Sunday that destroyed a mosque in the south of the country, where Israel has intensified its bombings in recent weeks. “Around 03:45 (00:45 GMT), enemy aircraft carried out an airstrike targeting the ancient mosque in the center of Kfar Tebnit village, completely destroying it,” state news agency ANI reported.