Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu urges removal of UN peacekeepers from Lebanon, claiming they are ‘hostages of Hezbollah’

Benjamin Netanyahu has urged the United Nations to remove its peacekeepers from Lebanon, claiming they are becoming “human shields” and “hostages of Hezbollah”.

The Israeli prime minister said he had asked for their removal “repeatedly” and been “met with repeated refusals”.

Meanwhile, the UN said Israeli tanks burst through the gates of one of its bases early on Sunday morning, asking that the lights be turned off.

The presence of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in areas it was required to fulfil a mandate was “putting peacekeepers in danger”, the UN added.

Breaching and entering a UN position was a “flagrant violation of international law”, it said.

The 10,000-strong United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been operating there since 1978, following an invasion by Israel.

UNIFIL peacekeepers are tasked with maintaining calm and reducing tensions along the “blue line” dividing Lebanon from Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Five peacekeepers have been injured during Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah since Thursday.

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Mr Netanyahu said he was appealing “directly” to UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres.

“It is time for you to remove UNIFIL from Hezbollah’s strongholds and from the fighting areas,” he said.

“The IDF has repeatedly asked for this, and has been met with repeated refusals, all aimed at providing a human shield to Hezbollah terrorists.

“This endangers both them and the lives of our soldiers.”

UNIFIL said its peacekeepers reported the firing of shots this morning, not far from their base.

The shots “emitted smoke”, it added.

“Fifteen peacekeepers suffered effects, including skin irritation and gastrointestinal reactions, after the smoke entered the camp. The peacekeepers are receiving treatment,” the peacekeeping force said.

UNIFIL also claimed IDF soldiers “stopped a critical UNIFIL logistical movement near Meiss ej Jebel, denying it passage”.

Mr Netanyahu said the IDF “regret the injury to the UNIFIL soldiers” and was “doing everything in our power to prevent this injury”.

The “simple and obvious” way to ensure such an outcome is to “get them out of the danger zone”, he added, “right now, immediately”.

Responding to criticism of Israel’s action by Italian prime minister Georgio Melloni, Mr Netanyahu reiterated on X that he regretted “any harm done to UNIFIL personnel” but the “time has come to withdraw UNIFIL forces”.

Hezbollah denies Israel’s accusation that it treats the peacekeepers as hostages.

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People in 21 Lebanese villages, meanwhile, have been ordered by the IDF to evacuate immediately.

Residents have been told not to head south, but rather to move north of the Awali river.

“The IDF has no intention of harming you,” said Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee.

“To ensure your own safety, you must evacuate without delay.”

Israeli troops are continuing to take action against Hezbollah, he added.

“Anyone who is near Hezbollah elements, facilities or weapons is putting his life in danger,” he said.

The IDF said that over the past week, it had identified dozens of tunnel shafts in rough, mountainous terrain that led to underground infrastructure, combat sites, and Hezbollah posts used to carry out attacks on Israel in recent months.

A statement said that over 100 terrorists had been “eliminated” and terrorist infrastructure including the tunnel shafts “located and destroyed “. More than 50 rocket launchers and over 60 Hezbollah command posts had also been destroyed, it added.

Elsewhere, Iran’s foreign minister said his country has “no red lines” in how it defends itself.

In a post on X, Abbas Araqchi said: “While we have made tremendous efforts in recent days to contain an all-out war in our region, I say it clearly that we have no red lines in defending our people and interests.”

The Hamas-led health ministry in Gaza said more than 42,227 people had been killed there since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted last year.