Netanyahu denies attacking peacekeepers in Lebanon: Move out of harm's way

Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the Israeli Defence Forces did their best to avoid harming UNIFIL peacekeepers while striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

In Short

• Benjamin Netanyahu called accusations "completely false"
• Claimed IDF avoided harming UNIFIL during strikes
• Urged UNIFIL withdrawal from conflict zones

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday rejected accusations that Israeli troops had deliberately targeted members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) as "completely false" and once again asked for their withdrawal from conflict zones amid escalating tensions.

He claimed that the Israeli Defence Forces did their best to avoid harming UNIFIL personnel while striking Hezbollah targets. "Israel repeatedly asked UNIFIL to get out of harm’s way. It repeatedly asked them to temporarily leave the combat zone, which is right next to Israel’s border with Lebanon," he added.

Netanyahu claimed that Hezbollah uses UNIFIL facilities and positions as "cover" while it attacks Israeli cities and communities. He stated that he appealed to members of UNIFIL to evacuate conflict zones the day Israel began its ground incursions into Lebanon to eliminate Hezbollah terrorists.

"Israel is not fighting UNIFIL. It's not fighting the people of Lebanon. It is fighting Iran’s proxy Hezbollah, which uses Lebanese territory to attack Israel. Hezbollah attacked Israel last year without any provocation on October 8th, a day after the Hamas massacre, and it's continued to attack us ever since by launching over 10,000 rockets and missiles at Israel," he said.

"We regret any harm done to UNIFIL personnel and the IDF is doing its utmost to prevent such incidents," Netanyahu added.

In a message to UN Secretary General Ant³nio Guterres, Netanyahu had earlier said that the body's refusal to withdraw UNIFIL members "makes them hostages of Hezbollah", which endangers their lives and the lives of Israeli soliders.

"There was a unanimous decision to stay because it's important for the UN flag to still fly high in this region, and to be able to report to the Security Council," UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti told AFP in an interview.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned Netanyahu’s call for the removal of UNIFIL soldiers, saying, "The warning that Netanyahu addressed toâ€æ Guterres demanding the removal of the UNIFIL represents a new chapter in the enemy’s approach of not complying with international [norms]."

5 UNIFIL members injured amid Israel's attack on Lebanon

The UN said that five UNIFIL members have been injured since Israel began its ground incursions into Lebanon. The world body said that UNIFIL positions have been affected 20 times since October 1, including by direct fire and an incident on Sunday when two Israeli tanks burst through the gates of a UNIFIL base.

"Five peacekeepers have been injured during these incidents, including one peacekeeper who sustained a bullet wound. The source of that gunfire has yet to be confirmed by UNIFIL," said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

"UN peacekeepers and U.N. premises must never be the target of an attack," the UN Security Council said.

UNIFIL, a mission of about 9,500 troops of various nationalities, was created following Israel's 1978 invasion of Lebanon. It is currently tasked with monitoring a ceasefire that ended a 33-day war in 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah.

Forty contributor nations to UNIFIL said on Saturday that they "strongly condemn recent attacks" on the peacekeepers.