Lebanon - October 17, 2024

Andrea Tenenti, spokesman of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Thursday criticized Israel's attacks on its positions in southern Lebanon as a serious violation of UN resolution and international humanitarian law.

UNIFIL reported on Wednesday a new violation by Israel against its position near the southeastern Lebanese village of Kafr Kila.

A UNIFIL statement said peacekeepers at a position near Kafr Kila observed a Merkava tank from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) firing at a UNIFIL watchtower, destroying two cameras and damaging a tower.

The UN peacekeeping force stated that is saw "direct and apparently deliberate fire again on a UNIFIL position."

UNIFIL also reminded "the 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."

The spokesman on Thursday took an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on the attack.

Over the past few days, Israeli forces have attacked UNIFIL positions in Lebanon several times, causing injuries among its peacekeepers and sparking criticism from the international community.

Shotlist:
Lebanon - Oct 17, 2024:
FILE: Naqoura, Lebanon - Feb 11, 2023
1. Aerial shot of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) base;
FILE: Al-Dhahira, Lebanon - Oct 12, 2023
2. Exterior of outpost, UN flag;
Lebanon - Oct 17, 2024
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrea Tenenti, spokesman, United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL):
"The latest one happened yesterday, actually, against another of our positions close to the blue line, where one of the towers that is inside the position was hit, but they hit the cameras of the position. And from our monitoring capabilities, we saw there was an IDF tank that shot the cameras in that position. This is of course a serious incident, and we have seen a series of incidents that have been serious in recent days when our positions have been targeted by the Israeli Defense Forces.";
FILE: Naqoura, Lebanon - Feb 11, 2023
4. Various of UN vehicles running;
Lebanon - Oct 17, 2024
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrea Tenenti, spokesman, United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) (partially overlaid with shot 6):
"That's a serious development, because we need to be in the south of Lebanon. As you know, there has been strong requests from the Israeli authorities and IDF for UNIFIL to move from some of the positions in south Lebanon, but a decision was taken that we are there because of a Security Council mandate and because of the will of the international community. And we are staying in south of Lebanon. It's a clear violation of our 1701 Resolution, but also a serious violation of international humanitarian law.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
FILE: Al-Dhahira, Lebanon - Oct 12, 2023
6. UN vehicles running on street;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
FILE: U.N. Headquarters, New York City - Date Unknown
7. Buildings;
8. United Nations flag.

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