Fiji is closely monitoring the ongoing crisis in Lebanon following incidents involving the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that resulted in injuries to peacekeepers stationed in Ramyah.
There are currently approximately 10,058 peacekeepers from over 50 countries, including Fiji, deployed in Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua confirmed that the government is keeping an eye on the evolving situation. “At present, Fiji has only one officer stationed in the Lebanon region,” he stated. “While we conduct our own safety assessments, we will await the evaluations from the United Nations on the ground.”
A statement released by UNIFIL last Sunday indicated that three platoons of IDF soldiers had crossed the Blue Line into Lebanon. Subsequently, two IDF Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate of a position and forced their way in. Peacekeepers reported that several rounds were fired just 100 meters from their position, producing smoke that caused skin irritation and gastrointestinal issues for approximately 15 peacekeepers.
The United Nations has requested an explanation from the IDF regarding these violations of international law. Israel has been conducting airstrikes in Lebanon, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims are aimed at Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist military group. On Sunday, he also urged the United Nations to “immediately pull its peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon.”