MANILA: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expressed strong condemnation on Thursday regarding actions that threaten United Nations Peacekeepers, amidst ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon that have resulted in injuries to five UN personnel stationed along the “Blue Line.”
According to Philippines News Agency, the DFA did not specify a country in its statement but indicated that the concern pertains to the status of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). “The Philippines strongly condemns any action that endangers the safety and security of UN Peacekeepers as they fulfill their mandate in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,” stated DFA Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza. She emphasized the importance of UN Member States upholding their international obligations to ensure that peacekeepers can perform their duties without impediment.
The UNIFIL has a mandate from the UN Security Council to monitor the cessation of hostilities following the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbol
lah and to verify the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. The mission has been stationed along the Blue Line, which serves as a demarcation between southern Lebanon and Israel.
Israel, having announced “limited, localized, and targeted” ground raids against Hezbollah earlier this month, called for UN peacekeepers to vacate the area. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed this appeal on October 14, denying allegations that Israeli forces were intentionally targeting UNIFIL positions. Between October 10 and 11, four peacekeepers sustained injuries when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly targeted UNIFIL’s Naqoura headquarters and nearby locations. Another peacekeeper was injured by gunfire on the following day due to military operations in the vicinity.
UNIFIL reported that its peacekeepers observed IDF soldiers crossing the Blue Line into Lebanon on October 13, with Israeli tanks breaching the main gate of a UN position. On the same day, 15 peacekeepers experienced advers
e health effects after the IDF fired rounds near their position, with smoke infiltrating their camp. Subsequent incidents included a strike on a UNIFIL position on October 16, which damaged a watchtower.
Despite these events, the UN Peace Operations stated that UNIFIL will maintain its presence in all positions. The DFA clarified that no Filipino nationals are currently deployed as UN peacekeepers at UNIFIL.