UN peacekeepers stay in southern Lebanon amid ongoing Israeli operation
Photo: UN peacekeepers remain in Lebanon despite Israel's call to withdraw (Getty Images)
UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon are remaining in place and continuing their activities despite Israel's call to relocate the "Blue Helmets" from the region where it is conducting operations, according to Reuters.
According to Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the head of the UN peacekeeping mission, on Thursday, the peacekeepers "continue to do their best to implement their Security Council mandate in obviously very difficult conditions."
The UN representative noted that peacekeepers in southern Lebanon are currently the only communication channel between the military forces of both countries.
He added that contingency plans are in place in case of unforeseen circumstances.
The Security Council authorizes the UNIFIL mission to assist the Lebanese army in keeping the area free of weapons and armed personnel aside from Lebanese military forces.
This has led to friction with the Iran-backed Hezbollah organization, which effectively controls southern Lebanon.
What preceded
Earlier this week, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) called on UN peacekeepers to prepare for relocation more than five kilometers from the border between Israel and Lebanon, known as the Blue Line.
According to Reuters, the Israeli military requested that peacekeepers withdraw "as soon as possible, in order to maintain their safety." The IDF is currently conducting operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah targets.
UN mission statement
Jean-Pierre Lacroix told reporters that, "the peacekeepers are currently staying in their position, all of them."
"The parties have an obligation to respect the safety of and security of peacekeepers, and I want to insist on that," he said.
Lacroix also stated that UNIFIL continues to maintain communication with both countries — Lebanon and Israel — describing the mission as the only communication channel between them.
The mission has also been working to protect civilians, ensure the safe movement of residents, and deliver humanitarian aid.
"Blue Helmets" in Lebanon
UN peacekeepers operate in Lebanon between the Litani River north and the Blue Line south.
According to the mission’s website, it consists of over 10,000 personnel — military staff from 50 countries and approximately 800 civilian employees.
The IDF has called on residents of more than 20 towns in southern Lebanon to immediately evacuate their homes as they continue their military operation in the region and strike Hezbollah targets in the suburbs of Beirut.
On October 3, the Israeli Chief of the General Staff stated that the IDF was entirely determined to destroy Hezbollah’s infrastructure in southern Lebanon. According to him, militants will not be allowed to remain near Israel's border.
