From the Liveblog of
Monday, October 14, 2024
Netanyahu slams claims Israel targeting UNIFIL, says peacekeepers refusing requests to evacuate
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly denies that IDF forces have purposely targeted UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
“The charge that Israel deliberately attacked UNIFIL personnel is completely false,” he says in an English-language video.
“It’s exactly the opposite. Israel repeatedly asked UNIFIL to get out of harm’s way. It repeatedly asked them to temporarily leave the combat zone, which is right next to Israel’s border with Lebanon.”
UNIFIL and European countries with troops in the 10,000-strong force say the IDF has struck outposts several times, lightly hurting five soldiers.
“On the day that Israel began its ground operation next to our border with Lebanon, we asked them specifically, ‘Please leave this area so you’re not harmed,'” Netanyahu continues.
Netanyahu accuses Hezbollah of using UNIFIL positions as cover while it attacks Israel. “These attacks have claimed the lives of many Israelis, including yesterday,” he maintains, referring to a drone strike that killed four IDF soldiers and injured dozens.
“Israel has every right to defend itself against Hezbollah and will continue to do so,” Netanyahu insists, adding that Israel is doing everything it can to prevent harm to UNIFIL soldiers.
“But the best way to assure the safety of UNIFIL personnel is for UNIFIL to heed Israel’s request and to temporarily get out of harm’s way,” he says.
The Times of Israel Community.