Netanyahu's warning - urges UN to leave

 

Lebanon
Netanyahu calls on UN peacekeepers to leave Lebanon

Julia Wide

Updated 14.19 | Published 12.44

Netanyahu has called on the United Nations to evacuate its peacekeeping forces from the fighting areas in Lebanon, reports the Reuters news agency.

- Mr. Secretary General, move the UNIFIL forces out of the way. It should be done now, immediately, Netanyahu said in a recorded statement addressed to UN chief António Guterres.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the military has repeatedly called on the United Nations to withdraw the troops.

He claims that their presence in Lebanon makes them Hizbollah's hostages, as the Shia militias deliberately position themselves near UN bases.

In addition, it endangers the security of the Israeli military, Netanyahu believes.

The Minister of Defence: Wants to avoid harm

Five soldiers from the UN peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) have been injured in Israeli shelling against southern Lebanon in recent days. The incident has been condemned by 40 countries, which in a joint statement on Saturday demand an investigation into the incidents, writes  Politico.

Unifil has accused the Israeli military of "deliberately" firing at its positions.

Shortly before Netanyahu's statement, Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated, after talks with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, that Israel must take measures to avoid UN forces being harmed.

Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Richard Drew/AP