Netanyahu Orders Evacuation of UN Peacekeepers, Claims They are ‘Hezbollah Hostages’

Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the United Nations, calling for the immediate evacuation of UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) peacekeeping troops from southern Lebanon. The order, which came on Sunday, threatened that the presence of these troops places them at risk, turning them into “hostages of Hezbollah,” according to Netanyahu’s claim.

This move comes after repeated Israeli assaults on UNIFIL positions in recent days, despite condemnations from European nations, including France and Italy. Both countries criticized the attacks on UN peacekeepers, but Israel’s military actions have persisted. Netanyahu’s message to UN Secretary-General António Guterres has raised concerns about the Israeli government’s future plans in its ongoing offensive in Lebanon.

Hezbollah has stated that the Israeli military is using UNIFIL bases as shields to advance into Lebanese territory and evade Hezbollah’s retaliatory strikes. These statements align with reports that Israeli forces have suffered multiple hits at the frontlines near the Lebanese border.

Lebanese sources reveal that the Israeli army is attempting to force UNIFIL to retreat by about five kilometers from the border, aiming to create a buffer zone under Israeli control.

UNIFIL was originally established following Israel’s 1978 invasion of southern Lebanon and expanded significantly after the 2006 war. With approximately 10,000 troops from over 50 countries, the peacekeeping mission’s mandate is to monitor violations of UN Resolution 1701. However, the force has faced criticism from various Lebanese factions, including Hezbollah, for its passive neutrality in the face of repeated Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty.

As Netanyahu escalates his rhetoric, Lebanese media and political observers are expressing growing concern that Israel, backed by the United States, is preparing for a broader assault. Reports suggest the US may push for the deployment of international forces in Lebanon, similar to the multinational forces sent during the 1982 invasion. The aim, some fear, is to disarm Hezbollah and the broader Lebanese resistance, as part of a larger plan to enforce Western influence in the region.

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, has hinted at these international efforts, while Hezbollah has remained defiant. Hezbollah’s media relations officer, Mohammad Afif, reaffirmed in a recent press conference that “the battlefield will decide” and warned against any attempt to impose “surrender terms” on Lebanon.