UNIFIL Peacekeepers driving in BTR-80 armored personnel carriers in South Lebanon. Undated. Photo: Al-Akhbar / Ali Hashisho
In the shadow of the ongoing conflict, Israeli forces have launched operations from villages like Yarin, Dahra, and Alma al-Shaab, advancing toward al-Jabin, Sheheen, Tyre Harfa, and Shama. These areas, encompassing the densest concentration of UNIFIL centers, have witnessed destruction of residential buildings, shelling, and bombardment—all within sight of the UNIFIL headquarters.
While UNIFIL officially claims neutrality, asserting that it too is a victim of Zionist aggression, its actions—or lack thereof—tell a different story. Military sources highlight how radars at the Western Sector Command Center and the Italian unit in Shama have been used to monitor Lebanese resistance movements. At night, searchlights illuminate dense forests and rugged terrain near al-Bayada, aiding Israeli forces struggling to navigate these natural defenses. Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers have taken shelter around UNIFIL centers and even positioned artillery batteries nearby to target the coastal towns around Tyre.
Despite these developments, UNIFIL’s response has been limited to condemning “exchanges of fire” that reached its facilities, ignoring its implicit role in facilitating Zionist aggression.
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In the central sector, the French unit has reportedly intensified its patrols, disregarding Lebanese Army objections and focusing on monitoring resistance activity. French radar systems have also been employed to track missile and drone launches, further underscoring their involvement.
Amid these actions, UNIFIL has neglected its primary mandate under Resolution 1701 to protect civilians. Daily massacres continue in its areas of operation, raising deep concerns among the residents of southern Lebanon about the future of their relationship with the so-called “peacekeepers.” These fears are exacerbated by talk of increasing UNIFIL’s numbers—a move that risks turning the mission into an overtly partisan force.
(Al-Akhbar) by Amal Khalil
Translation: Al-Akhbar English, with additional translation by Orinoco Tribune
OT/DZ/SC
