PM Netanyahu Denies Israel Targets UNIFIL Personnel, But Still Asks UN Troops To Be Withdrawn

UNIFIL troops on the Israeli-Lebanese border (Wikimedia Commons/Irish Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday rejected allegations by Israeli forces deliberately targeting UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon, saying it was wrong, although still requesting that troops under the UN flag be towed.

PM Netanyahu said the Israeli military had done its best to avoid being injured by UNIFIL personnel, but still attacked Hezbollah militants.

"But the best way to ensure the safety of UNIFIL personnel is to UNIFIL heed Israel's request and temporarily get out of the danger zone," PM Netanyahu said.

Separately, UNIFIL mission spokesman Andrea Tenenti in a video message upload on X said, "We stay. We are south of Lebanon under the mandate of the Security Council, so it is important to maintain international presence and keep the UN flag in the area," he said.

"There have been several intentional attacks on our troops and the parties have an obligation to protect the peacekeeping force and ensure the safety and security of our troops," Tenenti said.

As previously reported, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon had an impact on UNIFIL forces. Last week, two Indonesian soldiers who were members of UNIFIL were injured by Israeli gunfire.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) admits it injured the two TNI soldiers, arguing it was shooting a 'threat' near UNIFIL troop positions. The IDF did not specify what the direct threat meant. However, this is a term they often use to call Hezbollah militias on the battlefield.

"The results of the initial inspection show that the leading post of UNIFIL troops located about 50 meters from the location of the threat of being hit by a bullet has injured two UNIFIL members," said the IDF.

Last weekend, Tenenti also said UNIFIL forces would not comply with Israel's request to delay about five kilometers from its current position.

Meanwhile, 34 countries participating in UNIFIL's mission issued a joint statement calling for protection for UN peacekeepers amid rising tensions in the region, urging all parties to respect the presence of UN troops in the region, as well as respect for international law, particularly the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions.