UN Peacekeeping Mission In Lebanon Experiences More Than 30 Incidents Throughout October

JAKARTA - The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) recorded more than 30 incidents this month resulting in property or injury damage to peacekeeping forces, about 20 of which were from Israeli gunfire or actions, a spokesman said.

UN peacekeeping forces have been pushed to the forefront of a new war between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has repeatedly called on peacekeepers to leave their positions. Meanwhile, UNIFIL firmly refused.

Of the 30 incidents this month, "about 20 of them we can attribute to shots or IDF actions, with seven of them clearly intentional," Andrea Tenenti, a UNIFIL spokesman at a press conference held via video, quoted The Times of Israel Oct. 31.

"Seven of them were clearly intentional," Andrea Tenenti said, citing Arab News.

"What is very concerning is the incident where peacekeeping forces carrying out monitoring duties, as well as cameras, lights, and our entire surveillance tower, have been deliberately targeted by the IDF," Tenenti said.

Meanwhile, other incidents experienced by UNIFIL cannot be ascertained about the cause or source.

Most recently, UNIFIl said a rocket that Hezbollah may have fired or its affiliate hit UNIFIL's headquarters in Naqura on Monday, quoted by Reuters.

UNIFIL said the rocket, which hit the vehicle repair shop, was fired from north of their location, injured eight UN troops from Austria.

Separately, Israel itself insists they are not targeting UN troops, but sometimes peacekeepers are caught in a shootout with Hezbollah.

It is known that UN peacekeeping forces have been deployed in Lebanon since the 1978 Israeli invasion of the country.

"What is clear is that the actions of IDF and Hezbollah endanger the peacekeeping force," said Tenenti.