Israel knows that after the current war against Hezbollah, it will need a buffer in southern Lebanon – and international troops in some form for this purpose. Israel has for years been dissatisfied with UNIFIL’s mission, established after “Operation Litany” against the then-terrorist group Fatah in 1978 and given a stronger mandate after the Second Lebanon War in 2006 (against the terrorist group Hezbollah, of note). .
From an Israeli point of view, this is understandable: UNIFIL soldiers, equipped only for observer missions, have never fulfilled the central task of preventing terrorist groups from operating along the border with Israel. Even after the 2006 war, Hezbollah quickly returned to the border and began threatening Israeli border towns again. Neither UNIFIL — where some 160 Austrian soldiers are currently deployed — nor the Lebanese army have made serious efforts to force Hezbollah to comply with UN Security Council resolutions.
Israel accuses UNIFIL
In current events, the UN The observation posts are a deterrent to Israel’s military, and Hezbollah fighters are often in their vicinity — firing at Israel from there, Israel charges. Israel therefore accuses UNIFIL of turning the soldiers into human shields for Hezbollah by refusing to temporarily vacate the posts.
A dangerous precedent
From the point of view of the UN and the EU, the disregard of the provisions of the UNIFIL mandate by warring parties and the open acceptance of violations of the laws of war and international law is, above all, a dangerous precedent. For other conflict areas.
Official Israel repeatedly complains about one-sided criticism and the fact that Hezbollah is not held accountable. In fact, there is unequal treatment. But primarily because it is a recognized state of Israel and a full member of the UN, Hezbollah, or at least its fighters, is considered a terrorist organization in some parts of the world.
The EU condemnation lasted for several days
On Monday and after several days of blockades — mainly by the Czech Republic, which is closely allied with Israel — the U.N. EU countries have jointly condemned Israel’s repeated shelling of peacekeepers. These attacks are a serious violation of international law and are completely unacceptable. Urgent explanations and a thorough investigation are expected from the Israeli authorities.
The text just released calls for an immediate end to Hezbollah’s continued rocket attacks on Israel. At the same time, great concern has been expressed about Israeli military operations in densely populated areas, causing many civilian casualties and leading to displacement.
Spain calls for punitive measures
France followed suit on Monday, insisting that UNIFIL should not be hampered in its work. Spain, one of Israel’s most vocal critics within the European Union, has called for punitive measures against the country — specifically the termination of an EU free trade agreement.
EU chief diplomat Joseph Borrell wants to discuss Israel’s violations of international humanitarian law at the next meeting of member states’ foreign ministers. As the Spaniard’s staff explained in the evening in Luxembourg, if there is a consensus assessment to the detriment of Israel, it can bring consequences.
The United States also called for the security of UNIFIL troops to be maintained, but did not publicly press Israel in this regard.
Topic at a meeting of foreign ministers in Luxembourg
A meeting of EU foreign ministers will be held in Luxembourg on Monday. Middle East conflicts will be the topic, among other things, as Israel’s military presence in Lebanon is currently heavily criticized. Last week, the Israeli army opened fire on bases of the UN peacekeeping mission UNIFIL. Also being discussed are new sanctions imposed by the European Union on Iran, which has supplied missiles to Russia. ORF reporter Johannes Perterer reports.
“Don’t Get in the Way”
UN Israelis are largely receptive to their own government’s criticism of peacekeepers. On Monday, Energy Minister Eli Cohen undiplomatically followed through on the platform, saying that if the United Nations “can’t help, they should at least not stand in the way and withdraw their personnel from war zones.”
Guterres: UNIFIL is in southern Lebanon
Another serious incident occurred on Sunday when two Israeli tanks breached the gate of a UNIFIL base. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said through a spokesman on Sunday that UNIFIL troops and positions should never be targeted. Guterres said any attack on peacekeepers could constitute a war crime.
Regarding Israel’s call to withdraw UNIFIL troops from war zones in southern Lebanon, Guterres said the peacekeeping force would remain in its bases. Guterres cannot order withdrawal, only the Security Council.
Israeli NGOs warned of a “plan of the commons”.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, in addition to the daily suffering of civilians, Israel may face a new dispute with the international community. Israeli human rights groups, including BeTselem, are now warning against the strategy of starving residents of the northern Gaza Strip. There are alarming signs that the Israeli military has quietly begun implementing the “Commons Project,” also known as the Eiland Project.
The plan, drawn up by retired officials led by former Israeli security adviser Giora Eiland, calls for the forced relocation of residents of the northern Gaza Strip. Human rights groups have provided explanations.
Neither the military nor Netanyahu’s office would comment when asked about the warnings from human rights groups. According to residents of Jabaliya in the north, the Israeli army continues to besiege the town and prevent aid supplies from reaching the population.
The return of the 101 hostages still held by the terrorist organization Hamas is now further down the agenda in Israel than at any time since Hamas’s unprecedented offensive a year ago.
