In a fiery and unequivocal response on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected allegations made by European foreign ministers that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had deliberately targeted United Nations peacekeeping troops in Lebanon. Netanyahu dismissed the claims as not only unfounded but dangerously misleading, stressing that Israel had consistently acted to protect UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) personnel, not harm them.

"The charge that Israel deliberately attacked UNIFIL personnel is completely false," Netanyahu said in a direct video address. "In fact, it’s the opposite. Israel repeatedly asked UNIFIL to relocate and get out of harm’s way as we respond to Hezbollah’s escalating aggression," he added.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

"The charge that Israel deliberately attacked UNIFIL personnel is completely false.

It's exactly the opposite. Israel repeatedly asked UNIFIL to get out of harm’s way.

Full statement >>https://t.co/EGoCItmnCX pic.twitter.com/n2evkILeMw

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 14, 2024

The prime minister’s remarks came after a joint statement from the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The European ministers expressed "deep concern" over what they described as recent IDF attacks on UNIFIL bases, which reportedly left several peacekeepers injured. Their statement, however, seemed to overlook the broader context of the situation: Israel has been locked in an increasingly intense confrontation with the terrorist organization Hezbollah along its northern border, a fight that has pushed the IDF to target strategic positions, many of which are deliberately placed by Hezbollah near civilian and UNIFIL sites.

Hezbollah's Cynical Use of UNIFIL

Netanyahu did not mince words when addressing Hezbollah’s tactics, accusing the terror group of using UNIFIL’s presence as a shield while launching attacks on Israeli communities. International journalists as well were dumbfounded at the sheer magnitude of the buildup along Israel's border, with one BBC reporter saying it was impossible that the UN peacekeeping force were not aware of Hezbollah's activities.

We saw Hezbollah’s tunnels in southern Lebanon today. They took years to build, were used to launch anti-tank missiles at Israeli civilians across the border and they were located some 100 meter from UNIFIL.

It’s impossible that UNIFIL didn’t know about this. pic.twitter.com/OBnBTXxjsn

— Jotam Confino (@mrconfino) October 14, 2024

"Hezbollah uses UNIFIL facilities and positions as cover while it attacks Israeli cities and communities. These cowardly and heinous attacks have claimed the lives of many innocent Israelis," Netanyahu charged. "Israel has every right to defend itself against Hezbollah and will continue to do so without hesitation," he declared, signaling Israel’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its citizens even amid a complex battlefield.

UNIFIL's Complicated Role and Dangerous Positioning

UNIFIL’s role in southern Lebanon has long been a subject of contention. The peacekeeping force was originally established under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 following the devastating Second Lebanon War in 2006. Its mandate was clear: to ensure that only UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces would maintain a military presence south of the Litani River, a vital area that includes Hezbollah’s strongholds near Israel’s border.

From Lebanon. ‘UN failing as Hezbollah creates terror tunnels right under their noses.’ ⁦@nypost⁩ https://t.co/0DbTWtxjii

— Douglas Murray (@DouglasKMurray) October 14, 2024

In practice, however, the situation on the ground has been anything but peaceful. Hezbollah has violated the resolution time and again, constructing vast military infrastructures, including fortified positions, weapons caches, and tunnels dug directly under the Israeli-Lebanese border. Despite these blatant violations, UNIFIL has remained largely passive, unable—or unwilling—to curtail Hezbollah’s growing influence in the area.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, a senior U.N. commander, confirmed that UNIFIL forces had remained in their positions in Lebanon despite repeated calls from the IDF to relocate as the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel intensified. “The decision was made that UNIFIL would currently stay in all its positions in spite of the calls that were made by the Israel Defense Forces to vacate the positions that are in the vicinity of the Blue Line,” Lacroix said, as quoted by AFP.

Come on world… tell us again how the IDF should just leave southern Lebanon and let Hezbollah do their thing.

Hey @UNIFIL_, you’ve failed your only duty. One task and you couldn’t even do that.

The entire @UN is a disgrace and must be dismantled. pic.twitter.com/hQI4Fkfu3u

— Cheryl E 🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🎗️ (@CherylWroteIt) October 15, 2024

This decision has not only put U.N. personnel in harm’s way but has further complicated Israel’s efforts to neutralize Hezbollah without inadvertently harming peacekeepers caught in the crossfire. "We regret any harm done to UNIFIL personnel," Netanyahu said, emphasizing that the IDF is doing everything in its power to prevent such incidents while engaging Hezbollah.

A Delicate Balance

Netanyahu’s rejection of the European ministers' accusations underscores the tightrope Israel must walk as it fights a ruthless and embedded enemy in Hezbollah. The terror group’s brazen use of civilian and international entities as cover for its operations only adds to the challenges faced by the IDF. In this environment, where every military strike has the potential to draw international condemnation, Israel remains committed to protecting both its citizens and the integrity of international peacekeeping forces—even as Hezbollah’s tactics put everyone at risk.

The UNIFIL has failed its mission. They turned a blind eye to Hizb-Allah operation at the Lebanese-Israeli border allowing Muslim terrorists, for 20 years to dig tunnels, arm and pose a threat to both Israeli and Lebanese citizens.
Time to take their useless equipment and… pic.twitter.com/qCs24cihBA

— Mosab Hassan Yousef (@MosabHasanYOSEF) October 13, 2024

The Israeli leader’s remarks signal a warning to the international community: Hezbollah’s exploitation of U.N. positions and its growing audacity must not be ignored. The IDF, acting within its rights to defend Israel’s borders and people, will not be deterred by false accusations or the cynical games played by a terrorist organization intent on provoking further chaos.

As Israel continues its operations against Hezbollah, Netanyahu made clear that the blame for any collateral damage does not lie with the IDF but squarely with Hezbollah, whose actions have jeopardized the stability of the region for years. The world, he implied, should take note of the real aggressor—and hold them accountable.