Israel’s demand that United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers withdraw from the Lebanese-Israel border “is a political and military strategy to get the United Nations out,” former Irish Army captain Dr Tom Clonan tells Sky News.

The Irish senator, who previously served with UNIFIL in Lebanon, says peacekeepers are “the eyes and ears of the international community on the ground”.

“So unlike was the case in Gaza, we’re witnessing, observing, recording and reporting everything that Hezbollah are doing and also, what the Israeli operations are doing specifically with regard to the laws of international conflict,” he says.

Dr Clonan says “every time Israel has intervened in south Lebanon, they have targeted United Nations positions with direct and indirect fire”.

He said when he was serving with UNIFIL in 1996 their positions came under attack by Israel, adding: “It’s a matter of public record that Israel has targeted our peacekeeping troops in the past.

“But to balance that I would say we have also been targeted by Hezbollah and other Islamic resistance groups.

“So this is a long-established pattern of the cycle of violence in the region.”

Israel adopting similar tactics from Gaza to Lebanon

Dr Clonan says Israel’s military is adopting similar tactics to in Lebanon those they have used in Gaza.

“When they’re going in with their armour they’re firing at everything in front of them,” he says.

“They’re not distinguishing between innocent Lebanese objects, for example homes and schools and mosques, and Hezbollah targets. It’s exactly what they were doing on the ground in Gaza.”

He added: “For the United Nations, we can still observe, record, and – while we can’t stop the conflict – there is still the potential to help to de-escalate.”

At least 18 killed in Israeli strike on north Lebanon – Lebanese Red Cross

At least 18 people have been killed in an Israeli strike on the Christian-majority region of Aitou in north Lebanon, the Lebanese Red Cross has said.

The Lebanese health ministry said nine people had been killed in its initial report.

Earlier we cited local media reports saying Israel had hit the region for the first time in a year of hostilities.