UN peacekeepers caught in crossfire

Israel’s attacks on UN soldiers in Lebanon have drawn international condemnation, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling the accusations that Israel deliberately attacked UNIFIL “completely false”

(UN Interim Force in Lebanon)
Military personnel: 10,000 from 50 countries; Civilian staff: 800

Mandate: UN Security Council Resolution 1701 of 2006 allows peacekeepers to help Lebanese army keep area of operations free of all armed personnel and weapons except Lebanese Army.


TOP TEN CONTRIBUTORS*
Indonesia
India
Ghana
Nepal
Italy
Malaysia
Spain
France
China
Ireland
1,234
895
875
874
868
834
680
563
419
322
*as of
Apr 2024

Head of UN peacekeeping operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix (above) rejects Israel’s demands that peacekeepers evacuate area.

LEBANON
ISRAEL
LEBANON
ISRAEL
SYRIA
Golan
Heights (Israeli-occupied)
Tyre
Naqoura UNIFIL HQ
Blue Line: Unofficial border drawn up by UN in 2000 after Israeli withdrawal
Bint Jbeil
3 miles
5km
Israeli evacuation zone
Military zone closed by Israel
Israeli advance
UNIFIL positions
UNIFIL ZONE
Litani River

5
2
1
3
4
1
2
5
3
4

RECENT INCIDENTS

Oct 10: Two Indonesian UN soldiers injured when Israeli tank fires at watchtower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura

Oct 10: Israeli soldiers fire on UN position in village of Labbouneh

Oct 13: UN says Israeli tanks force their way into UNIFIL compound in village of Ramyah

Oct 12: Peacekeeper wounded after being hit by gunfire at Naqoura

Oct 11: New explosions hit Naqoura, injuring two Sri Lankan Blue Helmets


Sources: UNIFIL, AP, ISW Picture: Newscom © GRAPHIC NEWS