On two occasions today, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers rammed UNIFIL vehicles with a Merkava tank, in one case causing significant damage. The soldiers had blocked a road in Bayada that is used to access UNIFIL positions.
Over the past week, Israeli soldiers have fired “warning shots” in the area, striking and damaging clearly identifiable UNIFIL vehicles. In one case, a “warning shot” landed a metre away from a peacekeeper who had dismounted his vehicle.
Israeli soldiers have continually blocked peacekeepers’ movements on this road in recent days, in addition to denials of freedom of movement recorded in other areas. Since early April, Israeli soldiers have also destroyed force protection cameras in UNIFIL’s Naqoura headquarters and five other positions on the Blue Line from Ras Naqoura to Maroun ar Ras. Yesterday, they also spray-painted the windows of the headquarters’ pedestrian access gate, denying visibility to the external perimeter.
These actions are inconsistent with Israel’s obligations under Security Council resolution 1701 and the requirement to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers, as well as their freedom of movement at all times. They hinder peacekeepers’ ability to report violations by both sides on the ground.
Peacekeepers will remain in position and will continue to impartially report violations we observe to the Security Council.