NEW YORK (Reuters) – United Nations Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres warned on Sunday that any assaults in opposition to peacekeepers “may constitute a war crime,” his spokesperson stated after Israeli tanks burst by way of the gates of a peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon.
It was the most recent accusation of Israeli violations and assaults in opposition to the U.N. peacekeeping mission, generally known as UNIFIL, in latest days.
“UNIFIL peacekeepers remain in all positions and the UN flag continues to fly,” U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated in a press release.
“The Secretary-General reiterates that UNIFIL personnel and its premises must never be targeted. Attacks against peacekeepers are in breach of international law, including international humanitarian law. They may constitute a war crime,” he stated.