Kathmandu: The United Nations has said that Israel Defense Forces deliberately demolished an observation tower and perimeter fence of a UN position in Marwahin, Lebanon on Sunday. “An IDF bulldozer deliberately demolished an observation tower and perimeter fence of a UN position in Marwahin,” the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a statement.
UNIFIL has reminded IDF and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times. “Breaching a UN position and damaging UN assets is a flagrant violation of international law and Security Council resolution 1701. It also endangers the safety and security of our peacekeepers in violation of international humanitarian law,” the UNIFIL said.
“The IDF has repeatedly demanded that UNIFIL vacate its positions along the Blue Line and has deliberately damaged UN positions. Despite the pressure being exerted on the mission and our troop-contributing countries, peacekeepers remain in all positions. We will continue to undertake our mandated tasks to monitor and report,” UNIFIL said.
The incidents of IDF hitting the UN peacekeeping positions has raised an alarm bell in Nepal because over 800 Nepali soldiers serve in peacekeeping operations in Lebanon.
[Also read: Concerns, worries grow about Nepali soldiers in Lebanon as Israel strikes UN peacekeeping positions]
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