Attack on Lebanese peacekeepers is a war crime

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Sunday that any attack on UN peacekeepers “could constitute a war crime,” his spokesman said, after Israeli tanks breached the gates of a peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon.

This is the latest allegation of Israeli violations and attacks against the UN peacekeeping mission, known as UNIFIL, in recent days.

UNIFIL peacekeeping force said two Israeli Merkava tanks blew up the main gate of a base and entered before dawn on Sunday morning. After the tanks left, shells exploded 100 metres away, sending smoke billowing across the base in an attempt to intimidate UN staff.

“UNIFIL peacekeepers remain in position and the UN flag remains flying,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

“The Secretary-General reiterates that UNIFIL personnel and facilities must never be targeted. Attacks on peacekeepers are violations of international law, including international humanitarian law. They may constitute war crimes,” Mr. Dujarric stressed.

Hong Hanh (according to Reuters)