Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu don dey call on United Nations to immediately evacuate their peacekeeping forces from southern Lebanon. In a video message wey his office release on Sunday, Netanyahu urge UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) to remove their personnel “from harm’s way,” saying their presence dey make them “hostages of Hezbollah.”
This call come after several incidents where Unifil troops sustain injuries due to military actions in the area. Israel acknowledge say dem responsible for some of the fire wey hit UN positions. Recently, five peacekeepers don get injured, including two from Sri Lanka wey Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledge say dem fire cause their injuries.
Netanyahu say Unifil no succeed in stabilizing the region or preventing Hezbollah operatives from operating south of the Litani River. He claim say Unifil dey act as “human shield” for Hezbollah terrorists, which dey put both their lives and Israeli soldiers’ lives at risk. He urge European leaders to focus their criticism on Hezbollah instead of Israel.
Unifil officials don reject the idea of withdrawing their troops from the area. Dem say dem dey committed to remain, as it be vital for the UN flag to continue to be represented in the region.
The situation in southern Lebanon dey escalate since last October, with near-daily exchange of cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israel. This tension increase after Palestinian militant organization Hamas launch attacks on southern Israeli communities.
