UNIFIL: Israeli Forces Destroy Watchtower in South Lebanon

SEAToday.com, Beirut - The UN peacekeeping force in south Lebanon announced on Sunday (20/10), an Israeli military bulldozer deliberately destroyed one of their watchtowers and perimeter fences in the Tyre district of south Lebanon.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a statement: “Today, an IDF (Israeli army) bulldozer deliberately destroyed a watchtower and guardrail at one of the UN posts in Marwahin.”

“We again remind the IDF and all relevant parties of their obligation to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property, and respect the sovereignty of UN locations at all times,” the statement added.

The peacekeeping force emphasized that violations of UN posts and damage to UN assets constitute “flagrant violations of international law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.”

UN Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006, calls for a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, establishing a demilitarized zone between the Blue Line, the Lebanese-Israeli border, and the Litani River, in which only Lebanese and UNIFIL forces are authorized to operate.

Israel has frequently attacked UNIFIL positions in south Lebanon in recent days, prompting global condemnation and fears of a wider trend of military action.

The attack occurred alongside Israeli airstrikes targeting an alleged Hezbollah target across Lebanon.

Israel has launched a massive air campaign in Lebanon under the pretext of targeting Hezbollah since September 23, killing more than 1,500 people and displacing more than 1.34 million.

The air campaign is an escalation of the year-long cross-border war between Israel and Hezbollah since the start of the offensive in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has killed more than 42,600 people, mostly women and children, since the Hamas offensive last year.

Israel expanded the conflict on October 1 by launching a ground offensive into southern Lebanon.