Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the United Nations to evacuate troops from its UNIFIL peacekeeping force in combat areas of Lebanon. He claims that the soldiers are being used as hostages by Hezbollah. In response, the UN has reported that Israeli tanks breached a gate to enter a Blue Helmet position on the Lebanese side of the border. Netanyahu has also declared UN Secretary-General António Guterres persona non grata, accusing him of anti-Israel behavior. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz criticized Guterres for failing to condemn Iran’s missile attacks on Israel.
Moreover, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her disapproval of the attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. UN peacekeepers have requested explanations from the Israeli army for violations against their force. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned Netanyahu’s call to remove peacekeepers from the Lebanese side of the border. Pope Francis has called for respect for UN peacekeepers accused of being fired upon deliberately by the Israeli military. These events highlight the escalating tensions between Israel and the UN, creating a divide in the global diplomatic arena.
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