Israeli tanks transgress international law as they infringe UN bases in southern Lebanon

New Delhi, Oct 14: The breach of a United Nations peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon by Israeli tanks on October 13th has intensified tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border that has turned into a war zone since last week with continuing artillery fire.

In the early hours, two Israeli Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate of a United Nations Interim Force office in Lebanon (UNIFIL) base, forcibly entering the compound.

As reported by the media, quoting the UN, after the tanks left, artillery shells exploded nearby, releasing smoke that affected several UN personnel, despite their use of gas masks. This latest incident has increased concerns over mounting violence in the region and potential violations of international law seen as a war crime.

The United Nations has condemned the breach, calling it a serious violation of international humanitarian law. "Attacks on peacekeepers are in breach of international law, including international humanitarian law, and may constitute war crimes," warned UN Secretary-General António Guterres, responding to the incident.

He reiterated the "inviolability of UN premises" and the need for all parties involved in the conflict to respect the mandate of UN peacekeeping forces.

UNIFIL’s mission is critical in monitoring and maintaining the ceasefire along the Blue Line, the border established after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Guterres emphasised that “the safety and security of UN personnel and property must be guaranteed at all times.” He added, "UNIFIL’s role and presence in southern Lebanon is mandated by the UN Security Council. The mission remains vital in supporting efforts toward a diplomatic solution to the conflict based on Resolution 1701."

Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claim that Hezbollah militants had fired anti-tank missiles at Israeli troops, wounding 25 soldiers. During the chaos, one of the tanks, which was evacuating the wounded under fire, accidentally backed into the UNIFIL base. “This was not an intentional breach of a peacekeeping base,” said IDF spokesperson Nadav Shoshani. “The tank was under heavy fire and attempting to withdraw from the combat zone.”

The IDF has also denied the use of chemical agents, stating that the smoke in the area was part of a standard smoke screen used to shield the evacuation effort. However, the UNIFIL statement suggests otherwise, describing the smoke as causing sickness among the peacekeepers.

This incident is the latest in a series of attacks on UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. In recent days, five peacekeepers have been injured in separate incidents, attributed to Israeli forces.

Last week, two Sri Lankan peacekeepers were injured when Israeli forces opened fire near a UNIFIL base in Naqoura. Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry condemned the attack. Two Indonesian peacekeepers were also wounded when an Israeli tank fired on their observation post, causing them to fall from their tower.

UN Secretary-General Guterres has expressed growing alarm at these developments. “The deliberate targeting of peacekeepers cannot be justified under any circumstances. It is essential that all parties respect the mandate of the United Nations and cease any actions that put our personnel at risk,” he said. Guterres further noted that the ongoing attacks are severely disrupting UNIFIL's mission to monitor peace along the Blue Line.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, has been steadily escalating since early October. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of using the proximity of UNIFIL peacekeepers as “human shields,” a charge that Hezbollah denies.

In a recent statement addressed to UN Secretary-General Guterres, Netanyahu called for the withdrawal of UNIFIL from Hezbollah-controlled areas. “The time has come for you to withdraw UNIFIL from Hezbollah strongholds and from the combat zones,” Netanyahu said. “The IDF has requested this repeatedly, but the refusal to act has allowed Hezbollah to continue using the peacekeepers as cover for their terrorist activities.”

Despite these demands, Guterres has reiterated the importance of UNIFIL's mission in maintaining a fragile peace in southern Lebanon. "UNIFIL’s presence is essential for the stability of the region," he stated. "The mission continues to work under incredibly difficult conditions to prevent a further escalation of violence."

Regional and International Repercussions

The ongoing conflict and increased exchange of fire, drones and rockets between Israel and Hezbollah threaten to destabilise the broader region. On October 13th, rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel, prompting retaliatory strikes by the IDF. Military and civilians on both sides of the border have been killed or wounded, further escalating hostilities.

The violence is drawing international concern, particularly from the United States, France, Italy, Spain and other Western nations, who have urged both sides to avoid actions that could lead to a wider conflict.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs have expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in the region. In a press release issued on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed concern over the worsening security situation along the Blue Line, the demarcation between Israel and Lebanon. There are 900 Indian peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.

The statement read, “We are concerned at the deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line. We continue to monitor the situation closely.” The MEA further emphasised the importance of safeguarding United Nations personnel, stating, “Inviolability of UN premises must be respected by all, and appropriate measures taken to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers and the sanctity of their mandate.”

The UN, meanwhile, is struggling to protect its personnel. Guterres, in a press briefing on Sunday, emphasised the critical role of peacekeepers in maintaining stability. “The peacekeepers remain in all positions, and the UN flag continues to fly,” he said. However, he cautioned that the mission’s future is becoming increasingly uncertain as attacks continue.

UNIFIL’s Mandate

UNIFIL was established by the UN Security Council in 1978 to monitor the border after Israel’s first invasion of Lebanon. Its mandate was expanded following the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Today, the mission consists of about 10,000 personnel from various countries, tasked with overseeing the fragile ceasefire in southern Lebanon.

Despite mounting pressure, UN Secretary-General Guterres has vowed that UNIFIL will continue to fulfil its mission. “Our peacekeepers are on the front lines, working in one of the most dangerous environments in the world,” he said. “They are committed to their mandate, and the United Nations will continue to support them as they work toward a diplomatic solution.”

As tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border continue to escalate, the international community remains watchful. For now, the UN flag still flies over southern Lebanon, but how long it will continue to do so in the face of increasing violence remains uncertain.