(ZENIT News / Beirut, 11.10.2024).- On Wednesday night, October 9, an Israeli air attack destroyed Saint George’s church in Dardghaya, in Southern Lebanon, reported the “Aid to the Church in Need” (ACN) organization. This church, which belonged to the Melkite Greek-Catholic Archeparchy of Tyre, not only was destroyed but the parish’s offices and the local priest’s residence were also lost. Moreover, the adjacent rooms, which were being used as refuge for displaced people given the crisis in the region, were also reached by missiles.
The attack left at least eight dead, among them five members of the Civil Defense Rescue Team. The international community expressed its consternation in face of this tragedy, which worsens further the fragile humanitarian situation in Southern Lebanon.
UNIFIL: A Vulnerable Target in A Conflict That Is Intensifying
Another attack of the State of Israel not only affected the civilian population, but also the UN”s Peace Keeping Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which are increasingly more vulnerable in the midst of the conflict. Two Sri Lankan and two Indonesian soldiers were wounded in explosions near UNIFIL base in Southern Lebanon. According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) the attack on the base was an “unfortunate incident,” saying that the objective was to neutralize an “imminent threat” detected close to where the Blue Helmets were.
The Israeli Army’s justifications generated a strong reaction by the international community, especially European countries such as France, Spain and Italy, which have troops deployed in the area. Despite the Israeli Army’s prior warnings, requesting UN staff to seek refuge in safe areas, the attack has been described as a deliberate act, said UNIFIL’s spokesman Andrea Tenenti. “The situation is worrying,” said Tenenti, adding that the presence of over 10,400 UN soldiers in the region , continues being crucial both for the monitoring of the cease of hostilities as well as the humanitarian assistance to local communities.
Hezbollah and the International Response
The role of the Hezbollah group has been central in the conflict, launching repeated attacks against Israel from positions close to the Blue Helmets’ bases and villages of Southern Lebanon. This tactic has left the UN’s Peace Keeping Forces in an extremely dangerous position, exposed to crossfire without the capacity to defend themselves adequately. For its part, Israel has accused Hezbollah of using UN forces as “human shields,” a charge that has been rejected by the leadership UNIFIL’s Mission.
The U.N. Mission is governed by Resolution 1701, which was designed to keep peace and disarm the militias in Southern Lebanon; however, recent events have shown that the conflict is still fully unfolding. Mohammad Afif, Hezbollah’s spokesman, reiterated that the group’s priority is to “defeat the enemy and stop its aggressions,” which suggests that the battles are far from ending.
Growing Tension Between Israel and the UN
The attack on the church and the UNIFIL base happens at a moment of high tension between the Government of Israel, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, and the UN Security Council. The Israeli Prime Minister’s rhetoric in recent addresses has intensified diplomatic disconcert among several European nations, demanding the immediate suspension of the sale of arms to Israel.
In the midst of this climate of growing hostility, voices in Italy, France and Spain have expressed concern over the safety of their troops deployed in Southern Lebanon. In particular, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, was critical of Israel’s management of the conflict, alluding to the possibility of more serious scenarios if the attacks continue.
UNIFIL’s Future in Southern Lebanon
The role of the UN Peace Keeping Forces in Lebanon is under scrutiny, given that its capacity to protect both civilians as well as its own troops has been limited. The UNIFIL bases, equipped primarily for monitoring
Ing and humanitarian assistance, are not prepared to face aerial bombardments or large-scale military incursions. Given this scenario, several experts have suggested the possibility of a strategic retreat of the UN troops, an option that the United Nations has avoided up to now, despite the dangerous escalation of violence in the region.
In short, the war in Southern Lebanon continues worsening, while the UN troops remain trapped in a conflict of which they are involuntary spectators. The international community should decide up to what point there presence is viable in an area where the risks increase day by day.
