Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to withdraw UN peacekeepers from southern Lebanon, accusing Hezbollah of using them as human shields.
This comes after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) refused to withdraw from the border area despite five of its members being injured during recent clashes.
In a video statement, Netanyahu emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, “Get the UNIFIL forces out of harm’s way… It should be done right now, immediately.”
He added that Israeli forces had requested the peacekeepers’ withdrawal multiple times but were met with refusal, which, according to him, put them at risk of being used as “hostages” by Hezbollah militants.
Netanyahu expressed regret over the injuries sustained by UNIFIL members, stressing that Israel was trying to prevent further harm but urged the UN to ensure their safety by removing them from the danger zone.
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