Israel Destroys Supervisory And Pagar Towers, UNIFIL: Respect UN Rights

JAKARTA - The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon, stressed Israel must respect the rights of the United Nations, after Israeli forces destroyed their facilities.

In a press statement issued, the UN Temporary Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Israel Defense Forces (IDF) "deliberately destroyed" the surveillance tower and the perimeter fence of the UN position in Marwahin, southern Lebanon on Sunday.

"Once again, we remind IDF and all actors of their obligation to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect UN rights that cannot be sued at any time," UNIFIL said.

The mission also reiterated that the violation of the UN location and its asset damage constituted a flagrant violation of international law and resolution of the 1701 Security Council, text adopted unanimously to end the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah and map the path to security on the border between Israel and Lebanon.

The statement further noted that Israeli soldiers had repeatedly asked UNIFIL to vacate its position along the Blue Line and had deliberately damaged the UN position.

Despite pressure on mission and troop-prone countries, UNIFIL on Sunday stressed peacekeeping forces remained in all their positions.

"We will continue to carry out the mandated task of monitoring and reporting," the mission said.

Sunday's developments come after a series of worrying incidents in recent times, in which a total of five peacekeepers have been injured.

Four days ago, UNIFIL issued a statement saying peacekeeping forces in a position near the Kela Cafer had observed an IDF-owned Mercava tank firing at their control tower.

Two cameras were destroyed, and the tower was damaged.

"Once again we saw a direct shot and it appeared intentional against UNIFIL's position," the mission said in a statement at the time.

In addition, on October 13, about 15 peacekeepers suffered a "smoke impact" after the IDF fired several shots about 100 meters from their positions, which had been deliberately breached about two hours earlier on the same day.

Several UN positions have been damaged, with cameras and lights destroyed.

UN top officials, including the Secretary-General, voiced concern over the situation, reiterating that the safety and security of UN personnel and property "must be guaranteed" and the security of UN venues "must be respected at any time unconditionally".

He also warned that attacks on peacekeepers violate international law and could constitute war crimes.