BERLIN: Germany on Monday urged Israel to “clarify every incident” involving the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), including the reported destruction of a UN peacekeepers observation tower and fence.
On Sunday, UN peacekeepers said an Israeli “army bulldozer deliberately demolished” a UN observation tower and fence in southern Lebanon.
The German government expressed “great concern” over the recurring incidents, which have triggered international condemnation. The Blue Helmet force (UNIFIL) has reported multiple clashes with Israeli forces in recent weeks.
A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry, Kathrin Deschauer, stated on Monday, “We expect the Israeli side to clarify every incident and release the results of investigations into this specific incident.”
She emphasized the importance of safeguarding the UN-mandated mission, saying, “The safety of an operation mandated by the United Nations Security Council and its personnel must not be endangered.”
The incident took place amid ongoing Israeli ground and air attacks on Lebanon, which were launched in September.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, has since responded to the accusations, stressing that Israel and its military have “no intention” of causing harm to UNIFIL peacekeepers. Despite these assurances, UNIFIL has accused Israel of multiple attacks on its personnel in recent weeks.
