Beirut, April 12 (SANA) – The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Sunday that Israeli occupation forces have continued obstructing and restricting the movement of peacekeepers in southern Lebanon in recent days, describing the incidents as violations of international resolutions.
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, UNIFIL said in a statement that Israeli occupation soldiers rammed UN vehicles using a Merkava tank and blocked a road in the Al-Bayyada area, causing significant damage to property.
The statement added that last week witnessed further escalation, with occupation forces firing directly toward UNIFIL vehicles, noting that one round landed only one meter away from a peacekeeper, despite the clear visibility of United Nations markings on vehicles and positions.
UNIFIL also reported that occupation forces destroyed surveillance cameras belonging to the force’s protection units at its headquarters in Naqoura and at five other sites along the Blue Line, which stretches from Ras Naqoura to Maroun al-Ras.
The statement further noted that occupation troops painted over the windows of the headquarters’ main gate in an attempt to obstruct visibility of the surrounding area.
UNIFIL stressed that these incidents constitute violations of the obligations of the Israeli occupation authorities under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and hinder the force’s ability to carry out its mandate of monitoring violations.
Despite these incidents, UNIFIL confirmed that peacekeepers remain deployed in their positions and continue their duties of monitoring and reporting violations to the UN Security Council.
Last Thursday, 60 countries, including several contributing nations to the UNIFIL mission, condemned ongoing attacks against UN peacekeepers in a joint statement, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities and accountability for those responsible.
Kh.A
