Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen on Monday accused the United Nations UNIFIL peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon of being a useless force that has failed to protect Israeli citizens from Hezbollah attacks and called on them to withdraw as fighting intensifies.
“The State of Israel will do everything to ensure the safety of its citizens, and if the UN cannot help, at least they should not interfere and move their personnel from the combat zones,” he announced on X.
Accusations have been swirling between Israel and the United Nations over peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon as Israel pushes its forces through the area, determined to wipe out Iran-backed Hezbollah and its military infrastructure.
The UN said Israeli tanks stormed its base on Sunday, the latest allegations of Israeli violations against peacekeepers, while Hezbollah unleashed a deadly “swarm of drones” on an Israeli military camp.
Israel disputed the UN report, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the peacekeepers to withdraw, saying they were providing a “human shield” to Hezbollah during the escalation of hostilities.
UNIFIL peacekeepers said two Israeli Merkava tanks destroyed the base’s main gate and forced their way in before dawn on Sunday. After the tanks left, the shells exploded 100 meters away, sending smoke billowing across the base and sickening UN staff, the statement said.
Photo: UN
