US seeks clarification from Israel on tank raid at Unifil base

The US said it is seeking clarification from Israel after UN peacekeepers (Unifil) said that Israeli tank fire destroyed one of their watchtowers in southern Lebanon over the weekend.

“We’ve asked our colleagues in the IDF for additional information and I will let the Israeli Ministry of Defence answer any questions about those operations,” State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said. 

“We have been clear with all parties that there needs to be protections of Unifil personnel and facilities. Unifil operates in Lebanon under a mandate from the UN Security Council, and these facilities and these individuals must not be harmed,” he added.