New York

Israel targets UNIFIL: During its ground invasion of southern Lebanon against Hezbollah militants this month, Israel Defence Forces fired at the bases and peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon or UNIFIL. The UN secretary-general warned that the attacks that injured at least five of the 'Blue Helmets' could amount to a war crime.

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UNIFIL personnel and its premises "must never be targeted," said a spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, adding that such attacks breach international law and may constitute a war crime.

The entrance door of a UN position "was deliberately breached by IDF armoured vehicles," the spokesperson said on Sunday (Oct 13) in a statement, describing it as a "deeply worrying incident." 

Watch: France, Italy And Spain Condemn Targeting Of UNIFIL By IDF

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What is United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon or UNIFIL?

UNIFIL, though it has 'interim' in its name, is one of the oldest and most longstanding peacekeeping deployments of the UN in the world. 

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Deployed for more than 46 years, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon was established on 19 March 1978 through UN Security Council resolutions. 

The immediate reason was the aftermath of the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon, which happened in the larger context of the Lebanese civil war. This so-called First Israeli invasion of Lebanon was in response to a massacre near Tel Aviv by Palestinian militants based out of Lebanon.

UNIFIL's mandate was expanded over the years to include the demilitarisation of Hezbollah and supporting the Lebanese Army in its fight against insurgents and arms smuggling. Besides confirming Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and restoration of the Lebanese government's authority in the region, UNIFIL is also mandated to ensure humanitarian aid reaches civilian populations, as well as the safe return of displaced persons.

Also read: West Asia crisis: Israel intercepts about five projectiles from Lebanon- Top updates

The UNIFIL's mandate is renewed every year by the UNSC, with the last extension having taken place this August. 

UNIFIL is funded annually by the General Assembly, with its approved budget as of 2022 crossing $510 million. 

UNIFIL currently has 10,541 personnel from 46 nations, which includes 9,532 soldiers, 207 staff officers, 553 local civilians and 249 international civilians.

Indonesia and India are the top countries contributing troops and police to the mission, having sent 1,234 and 895 personnel respectively as of April 2024.

Also read: Israeli army warns to attack ambulances in southern Lebanon, claims Hezbollah misusing them

The UN peacekeepers are also mandated to protect and ensure freedom of movement of UN personnel, facilities, installations and equipment in the area.

UNIFIL personnel can resist attempts to prevent it from discharging its duties.

According to the UN Peacekeepers, UNIFIL lost 334 of its personnel since its inception in various clashes and incidents.

(With inputs from agencies)