Netanyahu called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to evacuate UNIFIL soldiers from Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon.
"During these days when we mark the anniversary of the difficult war that was imposed on us - the Revival War against Iran's axis of evil that rose up against us to destroy us. We are more determined than ever to secure our future, we are more determined than ever to defeat our enemies. In Lebanon - we eliminated Nasrallah and his senior officials. Our heroic soldiers are destroying Hezbollah's weapons, headquarters, and terrorist tunnels. They are fighting mightily to return our residents in the north safely to their homes. We are not fighting the Lebanese people, we are fighting the terrorist branch of Iran - Hezbollah - which conquered Lebanon."
The IDF has asked UN forces to leave Lebanon, but they keep refusing. According to Netanyahu, this refusal effectively makes them Hezbollah's human shields and endangers both UN forces and the lives of IDF soldiers.
"We regret the harm caused to the UNIFIL soldiers and we are doing everything in our power to prevent this harm. But the simple and obvious way to ensure this is to simply get them out of the danger zone," Netanyahu said.
This comes after two separate incidents last week, in which UNIFIL forces were injured:
According to the UN, last week (10th October) the IDF fired at an observation post belonging to the UNIFIL peacekeeping force at its main base at Naqoura wounding two people. A day before, two peacekeepers were injured in a similar incident by Israeli fire.
Many world leaders were up in arms over the IDF actions:
Italy’s defense minister said the attacks “could constitute war crimes,” while Guido Crosetto described the “shooting” as “intolerable.”
In Washington, a National Security Council spokesperson said the White House was “deeply concerned. We understand Israel is conducting targeted operations near the Blue Line to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure… It is critical that they not threaten UN peacekeepers’ safety and security.”
France said it was waiting for explanations from Israel and that it had an obligation to ensure their safety.
France and Spain chimed in too.
UN Ambassador Danny Danon already urged peacekeepers to move north Thursday. “Our recommendation is that UNIFIL relocate 5 km (3 miles) north to avoid danger as fighting intensifies and while the situation along the Blue Line remains volatile as a result of Hezbollah’s aggression,” he said.
