JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the United Nations to withdraw its UNIFIL peacekeeping forces from conflict zones in southern Lebanon, stating that their presence in these areas puts them in danger. In a direct appeal to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Netanyahu urged swift action to remove UNIFIL soldiers from Hezbollah strongholds.
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“It’s time to withdraw UNIFIL from combat areas dominated by Hezbollah,” Netanyahu said in a Hebrew-language message. He emphasized that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had repeatedly asked for the peacekeepers’ relocation, but these requests were consistently denied, which he claimed allowed Hezbollah to use them as “human shields.”
יש לי מסר ברור למזכ״ל האו״ם >> pic.twitter.com/rzRwHnXOTh
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 13, 2024
In his English-language remarks, Netanyahu pressed the urgency of his request: “Mr. Secretary-General, get the UNIFIL forces out of harm’s way. It should be done immediately.”
According to UNIFIL, several of their posts, including headquarters in Naqoura, have been hit by IDF fire, resulting in minor injuries among peacekeepers. Netanyahu attributed these incidents to UN’s refusal to remove its troops from hazardous zones, stating, “Your refusal to evacuate the UNIFIL soldiers makes them hostages of Hezbollah. This endangers both UNIFIL personnel and our soldiers.”
Expressing regret for the injuries sustained by UNIFIL personnel, Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s efforts to avoid harm to peacekeepers. However, he stressed that immediate evacuation is the most effective way to ensure their safety. He further urged European leaders to shift their criticism from Israel to Hezbollah, which he accused of deliberately placing UNIFIL in harm’s way.
They haven’t don’t their job of ensuring that Hezbollah doesn’t set up shop there. Now they need to leave. The un is a baseless organization. Defund the UN
How dare Netanyahu to tell the UN to leave Lebanon they are part of Hisbolla &Hamas