Israeli forces fire at UN position in Lebanon, 22 killed in Beirut strike
This is the headline for a Reuters article dated 10/11/24 from this morning about a second attack on the UNIFIL forces by the IDF in the last two days. 2 more UNIFIL personnel were wounded. Additionally the IDF called in equipment to break down walls at the perimeter walls of another UNIFIL compound. Hardly "mistakes" as opposed to being ordered strikes to try and intimidate the UNIFIL forces to surrender to IDF demands. Knowingly and purposely killing and wounding UN personnel, and British personnel during the Mandate, has been a problem through the last years and the last century. All parties have taken their shots over the many decades.
But the venom towards the UN by the hard right leadership in Israel has ramped up considerably in recent decades over requests to cooperate with investigations of treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank, the subject of settlements in the West Bank, the blockade of Gaza, the mistreatment of prisoners, the actions taking place in the ICC/ICJ and on and on. It would not be likely that all of that is completely divorced from what is taking place against UNIFIL at the moment. I'm not saying it is the driving force only that it is not rational to think it plays no role at all. Similar to a desire to eliminate UNRWA the IDF and Likud leadership may see "linking" Hezbollah activity to UNIFIL to be an asset to them to defend the attacks and try to justify demanding UNIFIL move further north. If UNIFIL gives in on that move it will likely not be the last time they are "pushed" further and further north. It has been a stated desire of the hard right in Israel for the IDF to seize all of Lebanon from the Litani River south to the Israel Lebanon border about 18 miles distance. The land has historical claims by some and the Litani River is a strategic water source for southern Lebanon.
The ancient city of Tyre lies on the Mediterranean and within this "desired area" and just a bit south of where the Litani empties to the sea. It is one of the oldest inhabited cities on the planet and the cultural heritage is immense but has been degraded by war, after effects of conflict and looting of antiquities.
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-strikes-kill-22-beirut-hezoballah-leader-evades-assassination-2024-10-11/
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