The shelling of UN peacekeepers’ positions in Lebanon (UNIFIL) by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) is not and cannot be justified, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, said. However, despite the wave of world criticism, Israel continues its numerous offensives in the Middle East.
UN General Assembly president condemns Israeli attack on UNIFIL
UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang on Thursday condemned an Israeli attack on UN peacekeeping positions in Lebanon that wounded two peacekeepers. General Assembly spokesperson Sharon Birch said in response to a question at a press conference, adding that Yang called on all parties to comply with their obligations under international law and international humanitarian law:
“He realises the crucial role that UNIFIL plays in terms of the maintenance of peace and security.”
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said earlier that its headquarters in Naqoura and other facilities had been repeatedly shelled by Israeli forces, injuring two peacekeepers.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed (LFI), commented on the news on his X:
“UNIFIL shelling after schools and hospitals confirms Netanyahu’s choice of deliberately demonstrative denial of all accepted international principles. How much longer will this disgrace continue?”
Since September 23, Israel has launched massive airstrikes against Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, killing at least 1,323 people, injuring more than 3,700, and displacing more than 1.2 million.
The air campaign was an escalation in a year of cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah since Tel Aviv launched a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip that killed more than 42,000 people, mostly women and children, after a Hamas attack last year.
Despite international warnings that the Middle East region is on the brink of a regional war due to Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, Tel Aviv expanded the conflict by launching a ground invasion of southern Lebanon on October 1.
Italy’s former PM and head of the 5-Star Movement (M5S) Giuseppe Conte wrote on X:
“NETANYAHU FIRES AT OUR BASES. WHERE ARE THE PATRIOTS? NO MORE WEAPONS TO ISRAEL. As we understand, the feeble voice of the Italian Government has given birth to a “formal protest” towards Israel after the criminal government of Netanyahu – which has exterminated over 40 thousand Palestinian civilians, women and children in Gaza – has also shot today at Unifil bases with Italian soldiers in Lebanon.”
Israel to confiscate UNRWA HQ in East Jerusalem for illegal settlements
Israel has decided to confiscate the headquarters of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem in order to build illegal settlements in its place, media reports said. The Israel Hayom newspaper reported:
“According to information released to the public today, the entire UNRWA area in Ma’alot Dafna, Jerusalem, is slated to become a housing project with 1,440 units.”
It also noted that the project is at a “preparatory stage.” UNRWA did not comment on the report.
Aryeh King, Jerusalem’s deputy mayor, has repeatedly demanded in recent months that thousands of illegal housing units be built to expand the Ma’alot Dafna settlement.
Israeli authorities ordered UNRWA to vacate its East Jerusalem headquarters on May 30 within 30 days, under the pretext that the UN agency “failed to obtain permission” from the Israel Land Administration to build a facility on the land.
However, UNRWA spokesman Jonathan Fowler told Anadolu Agency at the time:
“We learned about the decision through the media and did not receive any information directly from the Israeli authorities. We are unequivocal about our stance. UNRWA has maintained a presence in this headquarters and another facility in East Jerusalem since the early 1950s.”
At the same time as the decision to confiscate the headquarters, Israel’s Knesset, or parliament, is preparing to pass second and third readings of a bill that would designate UNRWA as “terrorist” and prevent it from operating in East Jerusalem.
Israel is seeking the closure of UNRWA because it is the only UN agency with a specific mandate to meet the basic needs of Palestinian refugees.
UNRWA was established by UN resolution in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to refugees in five areas of operation: Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza killed 65 people in 24 hours
Israel continues its attacks on residential areas and settlers’ tents in the Gaza Strip, killing more than 65 Palestinians in 24 hours.
Medical sources reported that 28 Palestinians were killed and 92 were injured in a massacre carried out by the army in a bombing attack on a school in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. In addition, several Palestinians were killed during the Israeli army’s ground incursion into the northern Gaza Strip, which continued for the sixth consecutive day.
Another Palestinian was killed by the occupation forces in Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip. The Israeli army also attacked Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip, killing one Palestinian and injuring another. One Palestinian was also injured in an artillery attack on Al-Da’wa Street, east of Nusseirat camp.
