愛污传媒

Skip to main content

UN peacekeepers stay on Lebanon's border despite Israeli ground incursion

Smoke rises following Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon as seen from northern Israel, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner) Smoke rises following Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon as seen from northern Israel, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner)
Share

UN peacekeepers are staying in their positions on Lebanon鈥檚 southern border despite Israel鈥檚 request to vacate some areas before it launched its ground operation against Hezbollah militants, the UN peacekeeping chief said Thursday.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix said the commander and liaison officers from the UN force, known as UNIFIL, also are in constant contact with their counterparts in the Israeli and Lebanese militaries. He called that key to protecting the UN鈥檚 more than 10,000 peacekeepers.

The UN force is 鈥渢he only channel of communications between the parties,鈥 he told reporters. 鈥淭he peacekeepers are also working with partners to do what they can to protect the population.鈥

UNIFIL was created to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after Israel鈥檚 1978 invasion. The UN expanded its mission following the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, allowing peacekeepers to deploy along the Israeli border.

A UN Security Council resolution ending that war demanded that all armed groups 鈥 including Hezbollah 鈥 be disarmed and that the Lebanese army deploy throughout the country to the Israeli border. After 17 years, neither has happened.

Lacroix, who is undersecretary-general for peace operations, said UNIFIL had anticipated 鈥渁 limited, targeted ground operation鈥 and had thoroughly discussed whether UN peacekeepers should stay or not, deciding they should stay for now.

鈥淲e鈥檙e constantly reviewing the situation鈥 on the ground in terms of the safety and security of the peacekeepers, he said. He added that contingency plans are ready but refused to discuss them.

Lacroix also stressed that Israel and Hezbollah have an obligation to protect the UN peacekeepers.

Israeli ground forces crossed into southern Lebanon early Tuesday, which along with stepped-up airstrikes marked a significant escalation against Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants and of the war in the Middle East. The fighting comes as the region braces for Israel鈥檚 response to Iran's ballistic missile attack.

Hezbollah began firing across the border after Iranian-backed Hamas militants carried out attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 and then Israel retaliated with its military offensive in Gaza.

Lacroix said that there were a few 鈥渋ssues鈥 after Israel's ground operation in Lebanon began, which he wouldn鈥檛 go into, but that the UN liaison mechanism with its Israeli and Lebanese counterparts was 鈥渆ffective in addressing those issues.鈥

Lacroix said UNIFIL at the moment is not carrying out patrols, which it would normally do, but its positions are manned. In some places, the number of peacekeepers has been reduced by about 20 per cent, he said.

When Lacroix was asked whether Israeli fire was coming too close to its bases or positions, he replied that one of the added values of the liaison operation is 鈥渢o prevent and deal with possible incidents that would have the potential of affecting the safety, the security of our peacekeepers.鈥

The liaison officers also are dealing with other activities, including military movements, he said.

Lacroix said UNIFIL had been supporting civilian efforts to supply humanitarian assistance to people in southern Lebanon. The peacekeepers are still trying to help and 鈥渁re playing a role as much as possible,鈥 he said.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Police have confirmed the body of an employee who died at a Walmart in Halifax over the weekend was found in a walk-in oven.

A father and his two children who suffered severe burns in a Springfield, Ont. house fire have undergone surgery.

Local Spotlight

Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.

A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.

A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.

A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.

Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.

Looking for a scare with good intentions this Halloween season? The ghosts and ghouls of Eganville, Ont. invite families to tour the Haunted Walk at Lekbor Manor.

The image of a sleepy Saskatchewan small town with 'not a lot going on' is a well-known anecdote. However, one Saskatchewan company is hoping to change that 鈥 and allow communities both on and off the beaten path to share their stories and advertise what they have to offer.

A Moncton, N.B., home has been donated to the Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation and will be transformed into a resource hub for people living with cancer.

A Nova Scotia man crossing Canada on foot is passing through southwestern Ontario. Trevor Redmond is perhaps better known as the 鈥楩ellow in Yellow.鈥