US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday (Oct 23) voiced "deep concern" over recent Israeli airstrikes on the Lebanese army that killed three soldiers over the weekend.

With this, the death toll for Lebanese troops has reached eight, since an all-out war erupted between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

Speaking to his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant, Lloyd "expressed his deep concern about the reports of strikes against the Lebanese Armed Forces."

The Lebanese military in a statement on Sunday alleged that an Israeli strike had targeted the soldiers' vehicle in the country's south. Israel, however, claimed that it was pounding strongholds of Iran-backed Hezbollah.

<h2>Ensure the safety of peacekeepers</h2>

Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder in a statement said that Austin "emphasised the importance of taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security" of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon — the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL forces.

The US Defence secretary also expressed his condolences for the death of the Israeli brigade commander, Colonel Ahsan Daksa, who was killed in the Jabalia area.

<h2>UNIFIL concerns</h2>

Lloyd's statement concerning the safety of peacekeepers come as the UNIFIL accused Tel Aviv of attacking its members multiple times in recent weeks.

Israel had even urged the United Nations peacekeepers to evacuate to avoid injuries or worse as it expands its war against Hezbollah. However, the peacekeepers on Oct 14 said they will maintain their positions.

In a statement, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said, "The decision was made that UNIFIL would currently stay in all its positions in spite of the calls that were made by the Israel Defense Forces to vacate the positions that are in the vicinity of the Blue Line."

He further said that the UN Secretary-General António Guterres has confirmed the plans,&nbsp;"I want to emphasise that this decision still remains."

(With inputs from agencies)

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday (Oct 23) voiced "deep concern" over recent Israeli airstrikes on the Lebanese army that killed three soldiers over the weekend.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday (Oct 23) voiced "deep concern" over recent Israeli airstrikes on the Lebanese army that killed three soldiers over the weekend. With this, the death toll for Lebanese troops has reached eight, since an all-out war erupted between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. Speaking to his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant, Lloyd "expressed his deep concern about the reports of strikes against the Lebanese Armed Forces." The Lebanese military in a statement on Sunday alleged that an Israeli strike had targeted the soldiers' vehicle in the country's south. Israel, however, claimed that it was pounding strongholds of Iran-backed Hezbollah. Ensure the safety of peacekeepers Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder in a statement said that Austin "emphasised the importance of taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security" of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon — the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL forces. The US Defence secretary also expressed his condolences for the death of the Israeli brigade commander, Colonel Ahsan Daksa, who was killed in the Jabalia area. UNIFIL concerns Lloyd's statement concerning the safety of peacekeepers come as the UNIFIL accused Tel Aviv of attacking its members multiple times in recent weeks. Israel had even urged the United Nations peacekeepers to evacuate to avoid injuries or worse as it expands its war against Hezbollah. However, the peacekeepers on Oct 14 said they will maintain their positions. In a statement, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said, "The decision was made that UNIFIL would currently stay in all its positions in spite of the calls that were made by the Israel Defense Forces to vacate the positions that are in the vicinity of the Blue Line." He further said that the UN Secretary-General António Guterres has confirmed the plans, "I want to emphasise that this decision still remains." (With inputs from agencies)

US Defence Secretary expresses 'deep concern' over Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese army

United Nations peacekeepers will maintain their positions in Lebanon despite Israeli calls for their withdrawal, the UN peacekeeping chief said Monday (Oct 14). This comes as Israel in an airstrike on Northern Lebanon killed at least 21 people.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:85,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1772}">UNIFIL to stay</h2>

In a statement, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said, "The decision was made that UNIFIL would currently stay in all its positions in spite of the calls that were made by the Israel Defense Forces to vacate the positions that are in the vicinity of the Blue Line."

He said that the UN Secretary-General António Guterres has confirmed the plans,&nbsp;"I want to emphasise that this decision still remains."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-attacks-on-un-peacekeepers-could-be-war-crime-whats-united-nations-interim-force-in-lebanon-767239">Israel's attacks on UN peacekeepers could be 'war crime'. What's United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon?</a>

This comes as last week, in a series of incidents, five UNIFIL peacekeepers were injured. Following this, the UN Force accused Israeli forces accused Israeli troops of entering one of their positions by breaking through a gate.

The Israeli military, however, claimed that one of its tanks, while attempting to evacuate injured soldiers, "backed several meters into a UNIFIL post" while "under fire".

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:399,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2086}">Israel attacks&nbsp;North Lebanon</h2>

Meanwhile, Israel, as per reports, expanded its targets in its war against the militant group Hezbollah and launched an airstrike on North Lebanon. The strike in the Christian-majority northern town of Aitou, as per health officials, killed at least 21 and injured eight others.

Projectiles were fired back across the border by the Hezbollah. The Israeli military reported that 115 projectiles fired by Hezbollah crossed from Lebanon into Israel.

Reuters citing the town's mayor Joseph Trad reports that the strike struck a house rented to displaced families.

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:610,&quot;w&quot;:422,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2297}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-war-15-killed-in-israeli-strike-on-school-turned-shelter-767233">Gaza war: 15 killed in Israeli strike on school turned shelter</a>

Israel has ordered the residents of 25 villages in south Lebanon to evacuate and move to areas north of the Awali River.

Even as the UN Security Council, on Monday, voiced strong concern for the peacekeepers in Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again called for the peacekeepers in southern Lebanon to move from certain areas close to Israel's border with Lebanon. He insisted it was "completely false" that Israeli forces targeted the UN force, UNIFIL, but said Israel would continue to attack the Iran-backed movement "without mercy, everywhere in Lebanon – including Beirut".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

United Nations peacekeepers will maintain their positions in Lebanon despite Israeli calls for their withdrawal, the UN peacekeeping chief said Monday (Oct 14). This comes as Israel in an airstrike on Northern Lebanon killed at least 21 people.

United Nations peacekeepers will maintain their positions in Lebanon despite Israeli calls for their withdrawal, the UN peacekeeping chief said Monday (Oct 14). This comes as Israel in an airstrike on Northern Lebanon killed at least 21 people. UNIFIL to stay In a statement, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said, "The decision was made that UNIFIL would currently stay in all its positions in spite of the calls that were made by the Israel Defense Forces to vacate the positions that are in the vicinity of the Blue Line." He said that the UN Secretary-General António Guterres has confirmed the plans, "I want to emphasise that this decision still remains." Also read | Israel's attacks on UN peacekeepers could be 'war crime'. What's United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon? This comes as last week, in a series of incidents, five UNIFIL peacekeepers were injured. Following this, the UN Force accused Israeli forces accused Israeli troops of entering one of their positions by breaking through a gate. The Israeli military, however, claimed that one of its tanks, while attempting to evacuate injured soldiers, "backed several meters into a UNIFIL post" while "under fire". Israel attacks North Lebanon Meanwhile, Israel, as per reports, expanded its targets in its war against the militant group Hezbollah and launched an airstrike on North Lebanon. The strike in the Christian-majority northern town of Aitou, as per health officials, killed at least 21 and injured eight others. Projectiles were fired back across the border by the Hezbollah. The Israeli military reported that 115 projectiles fired by Hezbollah crossed from Lebanon into Israel. Reuters citing the town's mayor Joseph Trad reports that the strike struck a house rented to displaced families. Also read | Gaza war: 15 killed in Israeli strike on school turned shelter Israel has ordered the residents of 25 villages in south Lebanon to evacuate and move to areas north of the Awali River. Even as the UN Security Council, on Monday, voiced strong concern for the peacekeepers in Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again called for the peacekeepers in southern Lebanon to move from certain areas close to Israel's border with Lebanon. He insisted it was "completely false" that Israeli forces targeted the UN force, UNIFIL, but said Israel would continue to attack the Iran-backed movement "without mercy, everywhere in Lebanon – including Beirut". (With inputs from agencies)

UN peacekeepers refuse to evacuate as Israeli airstrike kills at least 21 in North Lebanon

UN peacekeepers in Lebanon have reported that Israeli tanks forced their way through a gate into a UN position on Sunday (Oct 13), after blocking peacekeepers' movement the previous day.

UN peacekeepers in Lebanon have reported that Israeli tanks forced their way through a gate into a UN position on Sunday (Oct 13), after blocking peacekeepers' movement the previous day. According to the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission, "At around 4:30 am (0130 GMT), while peacekeepers were in shelters, two IDF (Israeli military) Merkava tanks destroyed the position's main gate and forcibly entered the position" in the Ramia region, located in southern Lebanon. The tanks demanded that the lights of the base be turned off several times. "They requested multiple times that the base turn out its lights. The tanks left about 45 minutes later after UNIFIL protested through our liaison mechanism," the statement said. Also read: Israel vs UN: Netanyahu tells Guterres to withdraw south Lebanon peacekeepers Later, just over two hours after the tanks left, peacekeepers reported "the firing of several rounds 100 metres (yards) north, which emitted smoke." "Despite putting on protective masks, 15 peacekeepers suffered effects, including skin irritation and gastrointestinal reactions, after the smoke entered the camp," the statement noted. The affected personnel are receiving medical treatment. UNIFIL logistical movement blocked by Israeli forces The previous day, Israeli forces "stopped a critical UNIFIL logistical movement near Mais al-Jabal (an area in south Lebanon), denying it passage." UNIFIL has asked the Israeli military to explain what they described as violations against the peacekeepers. UNIFIL calls for Israeli explanation on 'shocking violations' "We have requested an explanation from the IDF for these shocking violations. For the fourth time in as many days, we remind the IDF and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel," UNIFIL said. Also read: Bangladesh urges unity after India slams 'deplorable' Durga Puja incidents In recent days, at least five peacekeepers have been injured as Israel has conducted strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. Netanyahu calls for UN peacekeepers' withdrawal On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the United Nations to withdraw its peacekeepers stationed in southern Lebanon, arguing that Hezbollah was using them as "human shields." Netanyahu made this appeal to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, just a day after UNIFIL reiterated its stance not to withdraw from the border despite the injuries to its members during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. "Mr Secretary General, get the UNIFIL forces out of harm's way. It should be done right now, immediately," Netanyahu said in a video message released by his office. He warned, "Your refusal to evacuate the UNIFIL soldiers makes them hostages of Hezbollah. This endangers both them and the lives of our soldiers." UNIFIL, consisting of around 9,500 troops from roughly 50 different countries, has the mandate of monitoring a ceasefire established after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. (With inputs from agencies)

Israeli tanks breach UN base in Lebanon; UNIFIL demands explanation for 'shocking violations'