The growing chorus of international voices calling for Israel to stop hassling the UNIFIL peacekeepers in southern Lebanon appears to be falling on deaf ears, and a new statement from UNIFIL reports that an IDF bulldozer demolished their perimeter fence and a watchtower in Marwahin.
Israel has not commented on this specific incident yet, and it is unclear why they destroyed that particular watchtower, and in so deliberate a manner. It is worth noting that just a few days ago Israeli tanks attacked a damaged a similar UNIFIL watchtower and cameras in Kfar Kela, which is only 5 km from the site of today’s demolition. Israel is evidently keen not to have UNIFIL observers active in this central part of the border area.
After multiple attacks on UNIFIL targets were reported last week, several nations, particularly France and Italy, issued statements demanding that Israeli halt their attacks. French President Emmanuel Macron in particular warned Israel that they must not disregard UN decisions.
Today’s UNIFIL statement reporting the latest attack reiterated that Israel has an “obligation to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property.” They again reiterated their intention to remain present in Southern Lebanon so long as the UN Security Council asks them to remain.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly demanded that the UN withdraw all personnel from southern Lebanon. He has denied in the past that Israel has “targeted” UNIFIL in any way, though such a denial is clearly less credible when they’re sending a bulldozer through the fence into UNIFIL premises and demolishing one of their towers.
The UNIFIL has a mandate to monitor the Israel-Lebanon border by the UN Security Council since 1978. That mandate was expanded dramatically following the 2006 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
