Peacekeepers crucial on Israeli-Lebanese border, will stay put: UN official
UN peacekeepers on the Israeli-Lebanese border are “more important than ever” as tensions mount between Israel and Hezbollah, says the UN’s under secretary-general for peace operations.
With some 10,000 troops based in southern Lebanon, the UN’s Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is “the only liaison channel between the Israeli side and the Lebanese side in all its components, such as Hezbollah”, Jean-Pierre Lacroix told AFP.
“It’s fundamental because it allows us to clarify certain things and avoid misunderstandings … miscalculations, uncontrolled and unwanted escalations,” he said.
UNIFIL is also key in informing all sides “when, for example, there are people who have been wounded or even killed in the area and someone needs to go in to rescue them or remove the bodies”.
The UN troops will stay in place as long as they can carry out their duties, barring “very, very serious” threats, noted Lacroix.
A UNIFIL vehicle drives in Marjayoun, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon
Seems kinda pointless and outdated with rockets and drones flying over daily... They couldn't clarify the strike on the soccer pitch either that escalated tensions and was used by Israel to justify striking Beirut. Crucial yet helpless...
Israel’s iron dome malfunctions a common theme since war on Gaza
The failures within Israel’s defence systems, that are supposed to be iron clad, is significant here.
Initially, the army said it intercepted one of the drones but the others were able to make an impact.
There have been 17 total casualties, among them a fatality. A statement by the Israeli military confirmed it is investigating an iron dome missile that launched, malfunctioned and ended up hitting a highway.
We do not know if the fatality was from the interceptor or the drone itself, but this shows that the Israeli military is already so overwhelmed with the war in Gaza and are expecting some sort of retaliation from Iran.
Defence minister Yoav Gallant has said that military cooperation and coordination with the US is critical here in order to combat an attack like that.
Israeli aircraft fly at low altitude over Lebanese capital
We’re getting reports that Israeli aircraft have flown at low altitude over the Lebanese capital, breaking the sound barrier.
Witnesses reported hearing at least two sonic booms.
Lebanon’s National News Agency also said “Israeli warplanes broke the sound barrier … over the capital and in a number of areas”.
