Israel responds that the operation was carried out to rescue wounded soldiers, and that UN forces must be moved. Representatives of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, Unifil, are demanding an explanation from Israel.
The tanks forced their way into a UN outpost in Lebanon early on Sunday morning and thereby crossed the demarcation line, the so-called blue line, reported the UN agency.
Criticism and Defense
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expresses sharp criticism of the Israeli operations that have injured several soldiers who are part of the UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon.
"Unifil and its areas must never become targets. Attacks on peacekeepers are a violation of international law...and can be war crimes," Guterres writes in a statement.
Israel's military responded in a written statement that the tanks backed into the UN post to rescue wounded soldiers – and that the tanks left the area when the enemy's firing ceased.
According to Unifil, 15 UN soldiers were injured "in the smoke development that spread" in the camp. Israel responded that the smoke spread to protect the Israeli soldiers.
"No danger existed for Unifil forces during the operation," writes Israel's army.
"Move Unifil Forces"
The incident occurred on the same day that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Mr. Secretary-General, move Unifil forces out of the way. It must be done now, immediately, said Netanyahu in a recorded statement.
According to Netanyahu, Hezbollah is using UN soldiers as human shields.
Your refusal to evacuate Unifil soldiers makes them hostages of Hezbollah. This risks both their and our soldiers' lives, said Netanyahu.
At least five soldiers belonging to the UN peacekeeping mission Unifil have previously been injured in connection with Israeli forces' battles against Hezbollah. Unifil has accused the Israeli military of "deliberately" shooting at its positions.
In August 2006, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1701, which aimed to put an end to the war between Israel and the Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah.
Israel withdrew after a 34-day-long invasion of the neighboring country. It had begun after Hezbollah launched a rocket attack as a diversion for an attack near the border, where several Israeli soldiers were killed and others kidnapped.
The resolution drew a "blue line" between Israel and Lebanon. North of the line, a security zone was established that stretches several miles into Lebanon up to the Litani River. It was decided that only UN peacekeeping forces (Unifil) and forces from Lebanon's regular army would be allowed there.
Unifil has around 10,500 peacekeeping soldiers from 50 different countries. Sweden withdrew its participation in Unifil in 1994.
Sources: Unifil, AP, and AFP
