The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stated on Friday that Israel’s deliberate military actions to destroy their property are in violation of international law, following the destruction of a fence and concrete structure in Ras Naqoura, southern Lebanon.

UNIFIL noted that Israel is responsible for securing the safety of UN personnel, property and its premises at all times. The statement also expressed concern over the removal of two blue barrels marking the UN-delineated Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel, with UNIFIL observing the IDF directly removing one of them.

The Blue Line is a demarcation line established by the United Nations in 2000 to mark the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, following the end of the Israeli occupation. The line was created in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 425, which called for the strict respect of Lebanon’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.

The recent actions of the IDF might violate UNSC Resolution 1701 (2006), which mandates that all parties ensure the protection of UN personnel, their property, premises, and safe passage of humanitarian convoys.

Similarly, the attack on UNIFIL property and personnel by the IDF could potentially violate Article 71 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions. The article obligates states to ensure the safety and security of personnel engaged in humanitarian missions, including UN peacekeepers.

For two months Israel has escalated its bombings and offensive into Lebanese territory, with the UNHCR warning of a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, as thousands of people have died and civilians continue to be targeted.

Since the end of September, Israel has continuously pressured UN peacekeepers to vacate their designated positions in southern Lebanon, aiming to facilitate its ground invasion of the region. According to UNIFIL’s deputy spokesperson, Kandice Ardiel, the peacekeeping mission has been attacked 40 times since then.