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War in the Middle East: UNIFIL warns of a risk of regional conflict
War in the Middle East: UNIFIL warns of a risk of regional conflict
(Franceinfo)
A new casualty among the Blue Helmets is to be deplored for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon after an Israeli offensive. The Israeli army puts pressure on the UN force which refuses to give up its position.
A fifth UNIFIL peacekeeper has been injured in exchanges of fire since the start of the Israeli offensive. The context is tense in southern Lebanon. The UN force calls for respect for international rules. “We call on all actors in this conflict to their obligations (…) in particular by avoiding any armed activity near UNIFIL positions.” UNIFIL said in its statement.
According to the UNIFIL spokesperson, the Israeli army explicitly asked the peacekeepers to leave the area. “Israeli forces have asked us to leave our positions along the blue line, but all our camps are on this line or within 5 km of it.” says Andrea Tenenti. This approximate distance therefore concerns all UNIFIL bases. The UN Secretary General said he was worried about the risk of conflagration in the region. At the same time, international pressure is tightening around the Jewish state as Joe Biden once again criticized the Israeli offensive.
Watch the full report in the video above.