Benjamin Netanyahu called on the United Nations to remove peacekeepers from Lebanon, saying they were becoming “human shields” and “hostages of Hezbollah.”
The Israeli prime minister said he had “repeatedly” asked for them to be removed and was “met with repeated refusals.”
Meanwhile, the UN said that early Sunday morning, Israeli tanks burst through the gate of one of its bases, asking for the lights to be turned off.
The UN added that the presence of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in areas where it was required to fulfill its mandate “put peacekeepers at risk.”
Breaking and accepting the UN position constitutes a “gross violation of international law,” he said.
Israel, however, defended the incident, saying that one of its tanks tried to evacuate wounded soldiers “while still under fire” and “retreated several meters towards a UNIFIL post.”
In a statement to Telegram, the IDF said the tank had left the post after “the cessation of enemy fire and the evacuation of wounded soldiers.”
The IDF stated that its soldiers used a “smokescreen” to provide cover while evacuating wounded soldiers, and that there was no threat to UNIFIL forces during the incident.
The 10,000-strong United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been operating there since 1978, following the Israeli invasion.
The mission of UNIFIL peacekeepers is to maintain peace and reduce tensions along the “Blue Line” separating Lebanon from Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Five peacekeepers have been injured in Israel's conflict with Hezbollah since Thursday.
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Netanyahu said he was appealing “directly” to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
“It is time for you to remove UNIFIL from Hezbollah strongholds and combat areas,” he said.
“The IDF has repeatedly requested and been met with repeated refusals, all with the goal of providing a human shield to Hezbollah terrorists.
“It endangers both them and the lives of our soldiers.”
UNIFIL said its peacekeepers reported shots fired near their base this morning.
He added that “smoke was released” from the shots.
“Fifteen peacekeepers suffered effects, including skin irritations and gastrointestinal reactions, after smoke entered the camp. The peacekeepers are undergoing treatment,” the peacekeepers said.
UNIFIL also claimed that IDF soldiers “stopped a critical UNIFIL logistics movement near Meiss ej Jebel, denying it passage.”
The aftermath, security sources say, was an Israeli attack in Nabatieh in southern Lebanon. Photo: Reuters
Netanyahu said the IDF “regrets that UNIFIL soldiers were injured” and “is doing everything in our power to prevent these injuries.”
The “simple and obvious” way to ensure such an outcome is to “get them out of the danger zone,” he added, “right now, immediately.”
In response to Italian Prime Minister Georgio Melloni's criticism of Israel's actions, Netanyahu repeated on Program X that he regretted “any harm done to UNIFIL personnel” but “the time has come to withdraw UNIFIL forces.”
Hezbollah rejects Israel's accusations that it treats peacekeepers as hostages.
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Meanwhile, the IDF ordered the immediate evacuation of residents of 21 Lebanese villages.
Residents were told not to head south but rather north of the Awali River.
“The IDF has no intention of harming you,” said Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee.
“To ensure your safety, you must evacuate immediately.”
He added that Israeli troops continue to take action against Hezbollah.
“Anyone who is near Hezbollah elements, facilities or weapons is putting their life in danger,” he said.
The IDF said it had identified dozens of tunnel shafts in rugged, mountainous terrain over the past week that led to underground infrastructure, combat sites and Hezbollah outposts used to carry out attacks on Israel in recent months.
The statement said more than 100 terrorists had been “eliminated” and terrorist infrastructure, including tunnel shafts, had been “located and destroyed.” More than 50 rocket launchers and more than 60 Hezbollah command posts were also destroyed, he added.
Elsewhere, Iran's foreign minister said his country had “no red lines” in the way it defended itself.
In a post on X, Abbas Araqchi wrote: “Although we have made great efforts in recent days to stop total war in our region, I say clearly that we have no red lines to defend our people and interests.”
The Hamas-led Gaza health ministry said more than 42,227 people had been killed there since the conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out last year.
