US does not want UN peacekeepers put at risk in Lebanon
Photo: The US is concerned about the fate of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon (Getty Images)
The United States does not want UN peacekeepers in Lebanon to face danger in any way, including from attacks by Israel, according to Reuters.
Reuters cited the words of Matthew Miller, the US State Department spokesperson, who stated during a briefing on Monday that Israel’s ground operations in Lebanon remain limited, as Israeli forces appear prepared to expand ground raids into the southern part of the country on the first anniversary of the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
According to him, Washington has made it clear to Israel that it wishes to keep the roads to Beirut’s airport open.
On Sunday, October 6, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed deep concern over Israel’s recent activities near the positions of the mission in Lebanon.
"We don't want to see UNIFIL forces put in danger in any way. UNIFIL forces play an important role in establishing security in Lebanon," Miller said.
The mission, authorized by the Security Council, assists the Lebanese army in keeping the territory free of unauthorized weapons and armed personnel. This has caused friction with the Hezbollah group, which effectively controls southern Lebanon.
Last week, the Israeli military requested that UN peacekeepers prepare to relocate more than five kilometers from the border between Israel and Lebanon, known as the Blue Line. This is necessary "as soon as possible, in order to maintain your (UN peacekeepers - ed.) safety."
On Thursday, October 3, the head of the UN peacekeeping contingent stated that the peacekeepers remain in place and provide the sole communication channel between the military countries.
Israel’s operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon
On October 7, 2023, terrorists from the Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad launched a ground and aerial attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel. The assault resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis, with an additional 250 taken hostage.
Since the end of October, the Israeli army has commenced a military operation in the Gaza Strip, which continues to this day.
Simultaneously, Iranian-backed groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, have begun regularly targeting Israeli territory with drones and rockets.
In recent months, the frequency and scale of Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel have increased.
Since October 1, the Israeli army has initiated a ground military operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon. For more details on the operation, read RBC-Ukraine's article.
Media reports indicate that Israel may have eliminated the new leader of Hezbollah, Hashem Safieddine, during the attack on October 4. There is currently no confirmation of this information.
