LEBANON condemned the Israeli drone attack on the city of Sidon which killed three civilians and injured several Lebanese soldiers as well as United Nations (UN) peacekeeping troops serving in Lebanon or UNIFIL.
They consider Israel’s attacks to be war crimes. “Five peacekeepers were injured in a drone strike near a military checkpoint in Sidon in southern Lebanon,” the UN mission said.
The Lebanese army confirmed that the attack was carried out by an Israeli drone targeting a vehicle killing three people inside and wounding three of its soldiers stationed at a nearby military checkpoint.
Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry said it strongly condemned the Israeli attack and called on the international community to condemn the attack and hold Israel accountable.
The ministry described the attack as an escalation of Israel’s targeting of UNIFIL troops, Lebanese soldiers and civilians that constitutes a war crime and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. (TRT World/Z-2)
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**Interview with Marwan Bishara, Senior Political Analyst at Al Jazeera**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Marwan. The recent reports indicate that Israel has conducted strikes in Lebanon, resulting in significant civilian casualties and even hitting UN peacekeeping forces. Can you provide some context around these events?
**Marwan Bishara:** Thank you for having me. The situation is indeed alarming. Israel’s military actions in Lebanon, particularly the recent airstrikes that killed 27 individuals and targeted UNIFIL forces, have escalated tensions in a region that has already been volatile. The UN peacekeeping force was established to help maintain stability and protect civilians, so any military engagement involving them is a grave concern.
**Interviewer:** How has the international community responded to Israel’s actions? Are there any discussions regarding accountability?
**Marwan Bishara:** The international response has been mixed. While some countries express concern over civilian casualties and violations of international law, others tend to support Israel’s right to defend itself. There have been calls for independent investigations into these incidents, especially with accusations of war crimes being thrown around. The situation calls for urgent dialogue and diplomatic measures to prevent further escalation.
**Interviewer:** Given the scale of casualties, how are civilians in Lebanon coping, and what are the immediate needs on the ground?
**Marwan Bishara:** Civilians in Lebanon are deeply affected. Many are displaced, suffering from trauma, and in urgent need of medical assistance, food, and shelter. Humanitarian agencies are struggling to provide support due to ongoing military actions, which restrict access to affected areas. There’s a growing call for ceasefires to allow for humanitarian relief.
**Interviewer:** What do you see as the potential long-term implications of these developments for Israel and Lebanon?
**Marwan Bishara:** The long-term implications could be severe. Continued violence risks igniting broader regional tensions, and if the cycle of retaliation continues, it could lead to a more entrenched conflict. For Lebanon, the strain on resources and infrastructure may generate political instability. For Israel, ongoing military actions could fuel resentment and resistance among regional actors.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Marwan, for sharing your insights on this critical situation.
**Marwan Bishara:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we continue to highlight these issues to foster understanding and seek peaceful solutions.
