Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a scathing critique of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), calling for its immediate withdrawal from the Israel-Lebanon border. Netanyahu expressed frustration that the peacekeeping force has shirked its duties by not implementing its mandate from 2006 through UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which prohibits Hezbollah from maintaining a presence in the area and empowers the UN to enforce it. The video message, released by the Prime Minister's Office, comes amidst the ongoing limited military campaign in southern Lebanon launched by the IDF in recent days.
In a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office, Netanyahu addressed multiple aspects of Israel's ongoing conflicts, with a particular focus on the role of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
"We are marking one year of the harsh war that was forced on us – the war of redemption against Iran's axis of evil, which has risen up to destroy us," Netanyahu began, setting the tone for his address. He emphasized Israel's resolve, stating, "We are more determined than ever to ensure our future; we are more determined than ever to defeat our enemies."
Video: Netanyahu speaks about UNIFIL / CREDIT: PMO
Regarding operations in Lebanon, the prime minister made a bold claim: "We eliminated Nasrallah and his senior personnel." He described ongoing military actions, saying, "Our heroic soldiers are destroying Hezbollah's weapons, command centers, and terrorist tunnels. They are fighting forcefully to return our residents in the north safely to their homes."
Netanyahu was careful to distinguish between Lebanon's civilian population and Hezbollah, asserting, "We are not fighting the Lebanese people, we are fighting Iran's terrorist proxy Hezbollah, which has occupied Lebanon."
The crux of Netanyahu's address was a direct appeal to UN Secretary-General António Guterres regarding UNIFIL. "The time has come for you to withdraw UNIFIL from Hezbollah strongholds and from the combat zones," he declared. The prime minister claimed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has repeatedly requested this action, only to face refusal.
"The IDF has requested this repeatedly and has met with repeated refusal, which has the effect of providing Hezbollah terrorists with human shields. Your refusal to evacuate UNIFIL soldiers has turned them into hostages of Hezbollah. This endangers both them and the lives of our soldiers. We regret the harm to UNIFIL soldiers, and we are doing our utmost to prevent such harm. But the simplest and most obvious way to ensure this is simply to withdraw them from the danger zone."
Netanyahu accused the UN of endangering its peacekeepers, stating, "Your refusal to evacuate UNIFIL soldiers has turned them into hostages of Hezbollah. This endangers both them and the lives of our soldiers." He emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, "Mr Secretary General, get the UNIFIL forces out of harm's way. It should be done right now, immediately."
He reaffirmed Israel's commitment to retrieving all hostages, saying, "The 101 of our hostages who are in Gaza have always been our chief concern. We will do everything to bring them, all of them, back home, the living and the deceased."
