Israel strikes in Beirut kill 22; 2 UN peacekeepers injured in attack on headquarters
The attack on the UNIFIL headquarters in Lebanon has invited widespread international condemnation for Israel
At least 22 people have been killed and 117 injured in Israeli strikes in central Beirut, Al Jajazeera reported.
Videos shared by local news channels showed a state of pandemonium in the densely-populated areas of Ras e-Nabaa and a-Nuweiri.
As chaos broke out in the residential areas, people left their homes and gathered in courtyards to escape from the strikes.
IDF targets UN headquarters; 2 injured
Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Thursday opened fire at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), injuring two members of the UN peacekeeping force.
The UNIFIT said an Israeli tank had “fired its weapon” at a guard tower at the group’s headquarters in the border town of Naqoura.
The two injured UN members have been hospitalised.
Israel in its defence said it was trying to target Hezbollah militants who were reported to be operating near the UN posts.
It claimed that its defence forces opened fired only after telling the UN forces to take shelter.
'Violation of international laws', says UNIFIL
In a series of posts on X, UNIFIL said that any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council resolution 1701.
“We remind 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. UNIFIL peacekeepers are present in south Lebanon to support a return to stability under SC mandate,” the UN body said.
International community condemns attack
The firing has drawn widespread condemnation on an international level.
Italy, which contributes a bulk of troops to the UN peacekeeping force, said Israel’s move “could constitute war crimes.”
The US said it was “deeply concerned” over the incident.
"We understand Israel is conducting targeted operations near the Blue Line to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure... it is critical that they not threaten UN peacekeepers' safety and security," the White House said.
Indonesia’s UN ambassador Hari Prabowo contended that the attack shows how “Israel positioned itself above international law, above impunity and above our shared values of peace”.
UNIFIT has over 10,000 peacekeeping forces deployed in south Lebanon. The international body, which has been calling for a ceasefire between Israel and militant group Hezbollah, last week rejected the former’s demand to relocate from some of its positions in south Lebanon where Israel claims the Hezbollah operates from.