Israeli Army ‘Deliberately Demolished’ Watchtower, Fence at UN Peacekeeping Site in Southern Lebanon
On March 23, 2023, the Israeli military allegedly demolished a watchtower and fence belonging to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon, near the village of Ghajar. The incident has raised concerns about the stability of the region and the potential for further escalation of tensions.
Background
UNIFIL has been deployed in Lebanon since 1978 to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia militant group. The peacekeeping force has a presence in southern Lebanon, where it patrols the border area and investigates violations of the ceasefire.
The watchtower and fence that were demolished were part of a UNIFIL observation post near Ghajar, a village that is divided between Israel and Lebanon. The post had been in place for several years and was used by UNIFIL troops to monitor the area.
Israeli Army’s Explanation
The Israeli army claimed that the watchtower and fence were demolished “by mistake” during a routine maintenance operation. However, UNIFIL has disputed this explanation, saying that the demolition was deliberate and that it had been notified by the Israeli military in advance.
UNIFIL has also accused the Israeli army of “violating the sanctity” of the peacekeeping site and of undermining the mission of the force. The Lebanese government has also condemned the demolition, calling it a “provocation” and a “violation of Lebanese sovereignty.”
International Reaction
The international community has expressed concern about the incident. The United Nations has called for an investigation into the demolition and has urged all parties to respect the ceasefire. The United States has also expressed concern and has called for a de-escalation of tensions.
Implications
The demolition of the UNIFIL watchtower and fence has raised concerns about the stability of southern Lebanon and the potential for further escalation of tensions. The incident has also undermined confidence in UNIFIL’s ability to carry out its mission and has raised questions about the future of the peacekeeping force in Lebanon.
Conclusion
The demolition of the UNIFIL watchtower and fence in southern Lebanon is a serious incident that has raised concerns about the stability of the region and the potential for further escalation of tensions. The international community has called for an investigation into the incident and has urged all parties to respect the ceasefire. The future of UNIFIL in Lebanon is now uncertain, and the incident has raised questions about the ability of the peacekeeping force to carry out its mission.
Israeli army ‘deliberately demolished’ watchtower, fence at UN peacekeeping site in southern Lebanon
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