October 12, 2024
Two explosions within 48 hours near the Unifil bases in Lebanon and growing tension. Yesterday, after what happened in recent days, the UN interposition force present along the border between Israel and Lebanon was hit by other shots coming from the Israeli army (IDF) which is conducting ground operations against Hezbollah.
This time the 1-31 base was hit, near the headquarters in Naqoura, where two Sri Lankan soldiers were present at a Unifil observation point and were injured. «This morning, the Unifil headquarters in Naqoura was hit by explosions for the second time in the last 48 hours – reads the note from the UN mission – Two peacekeepers were injured after two explosions that occurred near an observation tower. One injured peacekeeper was taken to a hospital in Tyre, while the second is being treated in Naqura. Today, several T-walls at our UN position 1-31, near the Blue Line in Labbouneh, fell when an IDF caterpillar hit the perimeter and IDF tanks moved in close to the UN position. Our peacekeepers remain in place and a Unifil rapid reaction force has been sent to assist and reinforce the position.”
After the episodes of recent days, when the cameras and other video surveillance systems were destroyed and some shots arrived inside the base while the soldiers were in the bunkers in the last two outposts of the peacekeepers in Naqoura, triggering the Italy’s anger, the advance of Israeli troops in Lebanon continues to create tensions. For Israel, the area where Unifil is located would be full of Hezbollah bases that it intends to destroy to ensure border security and allow displaced people from the north of the country to return home. And while the IDF advances, Hezbollah continues to launch missiles from that area. What happened in the last 48 hours, however, triggered international reactions, as well as Italian ones, which asked Israel for explanations. And yesterday, after an initial preliminary investigation, a response arrived from the Israeli army which, through its spokesperson, Nadav Shoshani, made it known that «regarding the attack on the Unifil post today (Friday, ed.), it is not yet clear whether whether it is a direct hit or damage caused by shrapnel in the area.”
However, the Israel Defense Forces operating in southern Lebanon “identified an imminent threat and promptly responded with fire” and “during the operation a Unifil position, located approximately 50 meters from the objective, was hit, causing physical harm to two staff members.” The IDF adds that “a few hours before the accident” they had “instructed UNIFIL personnel to take refuge in protected spaces, a directive that was in force at the time of the incident”. Furthermore, ensuring that they are in contact with the UN mission “to ensure effective cooperation” and will continue “to keep this dialogue active”. But between the dialogue and what happens, there is Hezbollah involved which, over the years, has created bases and stored weapons right around and under Unifil. For the Israeli army, the terrorist group “intentionally operates from civilian areas to target Israeli civilians and in the vicinity of Unifil positions, thus putting personnel at risk.”
But the investigations into what happened were not closed and the IDF assured that it wanted to “clarify the circumstances of the accident”. Meanwhile, the Israeli embassy in Italy has asked the “international community” to “demand the disarmament and withdrawal of Hezbollah forces in accordance with UN resolution 1701”. Meanwhile, President Mattarella convened the Supreme Defense Council at the Quirinale on Wednesday 23 October. The agenda includes «examination of the evolution of the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, of international and European initiatives and of the state of Italian military missions in the Middle Eastern region».
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