Israel and the United Nations clashed on Oct. 14 over an incident involving an Israeli tank at a U.N. base in Lebanon. The U.N. accused Israeli tanks of forcefully entering the base, destroying the main gate, and causing smoke that sickened U.N. personnel. Israel, on the other hand, claimed that Hezbollah operated nearby and used the base as a ‘human shield.’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Hezbollah uses peacekeepers as human shields, while Hezbollah denied this accusation. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) said that Hezbollah had fired anti-tank missiles at Israeli troops, leading to injuries. The IDF clarified that their actions were in response to heavy fire and were not intended to harm U.N. peacekeepers.
Despite the conflicting accounts, the U.N. reiterated its stance that peacekeepers should not be targeted, emphasizing that attacks against them could constitute a war crime. The U.S. Defense Secretary urged Israel to prioritize the safety of U.N. forces and Lebanese armed forces.
The IDF highlighted Hezbollah’s violations of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, including the presence of weapons stockpiles near the border and continuous rocket attacks on Israel. The IDF stated that their actions were aimed at targeting Hezbollah and ensuring the safety of U.N. forces in the region.
The ongoing tensions underscore the challenges faced by U.N. peacekeepers in maintaining stability in the region and preventing further escalation of conflict. Please rewrite this sentence.
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