As the Israeli military attacks United Nations peacekeepers, we look at the background to the violence
Unifil forces on patrol in Marjayoun in southern Lebanon. The body was established in 1978 to patrol the country’s southern frontier.Unifil forces on patrol in Marjayoun in southern Lebanon. The body was established in 1978 to patrol the country’s southern frontier.peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, has accused the Israel Defense Forces of deliberate and shocking violations in recent days.
At its core, the agency seeks to keep the peace in areas between Lebanon and Israel. To do so, it monitors any movements of Israeli or Lebanese forces across the “blue line”, a 75-mile UN-mapped line that has become a de facto border. It is also tasked with helping the Lebanese national army keep the area free of militants. This has not worked because Hezbollah, Lebanon’s most powerful political and military force, effectively controls the south of the country.
The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said Israel “will make every effort to prevent Unifil casualties”. This contradicts Unifil’s assertion that it has been deliberately fired on. He also accuses the peacekeepers of “providing a human shield” to Hezbollah.Technically yes, although in practice it does not. As a peacekeeping mission, Unifil says its “personnel may exercise their inherent right of self-defence” and may use “proportionate and gradual use of force” to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence.
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