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Netanyahu Urges UN's Guterres to Evacuate UNIFIL from Hezbollah Strongholds Immediately

Oct 13, 2024, 10:47 AM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to evacuate UNIFIL peacekeeping forces from Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon immediately. Netanyahu warned that the continued presence of UNIFIL soldiers in these areas is putting them at risk and effectively turning them into hostages of Hezbollah. He accused the UN of refusing previous requests to withdraw the forces, stating, "We have asked you countless times to evacuate." Netanyahu alleged that their presence provides a human shield for Hezbollah militants and violates UN Resolution 1701. He emphasized that the evacuation should happen "right now, immediately" to ensure the safety of the peacekeepers as tensions escalate along the Lebanese-Israeli border.