UN says Israeli tanks burst through gates of peacekeeper base

The United Nations said on Sunday Israeli tanks had burst through the gates of a base of its peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, the latest accusation of violations and attacks that have been denounced by Israel’s own allies.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the United Nations to evacuate Unifil (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) troops from combat areas in Lebanon. Hours later, the force reported what it described as additional Israeli violations, including tanks forcibly entering through the gates of a base.

“The time has come for you to withdraw Unifil from Hezbollah strongholds and from the combat zones,” Netanyahu said in a statement addressed to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

“The IDF has requested this repeatedly and has met with repeated refusal, which has the effect of providing Hezbollah terrorists with human shields.”

Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah denies Israel’s accusation that it uses the proximity of peacekeepers for protection.

Five peacekeepers have so far been wounded in a series of strikes that have hit peacekeeping positions and personnel in recent days, most of the attacks blamed by Unifil on Israeli forces.