An Israeli minister has accused has called United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers in southern Lebanon a “useless” force that failed to protect Israelis from Hezbollah attacks.
“The State of Israel will do everything to ensure the safety of its citizens, and if the UN cannot help, at least it should not interfere, and move its personnel from the combat zones,” Energy Minister Eli Cohen posted on X.
UNIFIL forces say they have repeatedly come under attack from Israel over the last week as Israel pushes into south Lebanon in an attempt to hit Hezbollah forces and their military infrastructure.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the peacekeepers to withdraw from the area and said they were providing “human shields” for Hezbollah.
Since 1978 the 10,000-strong UN force has been tasked with maintaining calm and reducing tensions along the “blue line” dividing Lebanon from Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
It comes after EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said EU states had taken too long to condemn Israel’s “completely unacceptable” attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers.
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