Five peacekeepers were “slightly injured” and treated by the Lebanese Red Cross on site in a “drone” attack in southern Lebanon. Unifil reported this in a statement, underlining that the attack targeted “a convoy carrying peacekeepers who had just arrived in southern Lebanon as it passed through Saida”. The statement, which does not specify the nationality of the injured peacekeepers or attribute responsibility for the attack to anyone, adds that the Lebanese army confirmed the wounding of three of its soldiers who were at a nearby checkpoint. “We remind all actors of their obligation to avoid actions that endanger peacekeepers or civilians – the note concludes – Differences should be resolved at the negotiating table, not with violence”.
Meanwhile, warning sirens went off in the city of Haifa, in northern Israel, after rockets were fired from southern Lebanon. This was reported by the Israeli media, according to which the alarm was also raised outside Haifa, in Krayot, and in other areas of the Western Galilee. This is the second attack in less than an hour in the area. Tel Aviv has announced that it will allow 300 trucks of humanitarian aid supplied by the United Arab Emirates to enter the Gaza Strip. COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for civil affairs in Gaza, said the aid was brought by sea and unloaded at the Israeli port of Ashdod, just north of Gaza. The cargo, which includes food, water, medical equipment, shelter and hygiene materials, will be inspected before being transported to Gaza.
#Unifil #attack #Tempo
**Interview with Dr. Rachel Cohen, Middle East Security Expert**
*Interviewer:* Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Cohen. Let’s start with the recent Hezbollah drone attack in Israel that resulted in the deaths of four soldiers. What does this incident signify in the context of the ongoing tensions between Hezbollah and Israel?
*Dr. Cohen:* Thank you for having me. This attack is particularly significant as it marks a serious escalation in hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. Hezbollah has framed this as retaliation for Israeli airstrikes that resulted in civilian casualties in Beirut, highlighting the cycle of violence and retaliation that has become increasingly prevalent in the region.
*Interviewer:* You mentioned the cycle of violence. What are the implications of this attack for regional stability?
*Dr. Cohen:* The implications are severe. Each escalation in violence has the potential to draw in other actors and deepen the conflict. We see this not only affecting Israel and Hezbollah but also involving other states and non-state actors in the region. It complicates already fraught relations and increases the risk of a wider conflict that could spill into other areas of the Middle East.
*Interviewer:* The incident also resulted in injuries to UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. How does this affect the peacekeeping efforts in the area?
*Dr. Cohen:* The injury of peacekeepers is concerning. It underscores the dangers they face in operating in a volatile environment. Such attacks undermine the credibility and effectiveness of peacekeeping missions and may lead to calls for re-evaluation of their presence in conflict zones. It also emphasizes the urgent need for all parties to respect the neutrality of peacekeepers to protect civilian lives and maintain some semblance of order.
*Interviewer:* Given the current situation, what steps can be taken to de-escalate tensions and prevent further violence?
*Dr. Cohen:* Diplomatic engagement is essential. All parties need to come to the negotiating table and find a peaceful resolution to their differences. International pressure can help in this regard, along with strengthening UN peacekeeping mandates to ensure that they are upheld and that violations are addressed swiftly. Ultimately, the focus should be on dialogue rather than armed confrontation.
*Interviewer:* Thank you for your insights, Dr. Cohen. We’ll continue to monitor this situation closely as it evolves.
*Dr. Cohen:* Thank you for having me.
