Netanyahu dismisses evidence by UN, EU and Lebanon of attacks on peacekeepers

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed accusations by the United Nations, European Union, Lebanon and the US that Israeli troops intentionally targeted the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), calling them “completely false”.

Netanyahu reiterated his demand for Unifil personnel to withdraw from combat zones to ensure their safety. There is no evidence that Hezbollah has attacked the UN peacekeepers force.

Netanyahu stated that while Israel strives to avoid harming peacekeepers, the best way to protect them is for Unifil to follow Israel's advice and stay out of harm's way while operations against Hezbollah continue. 

UN peacekeeping forces have reported that Israel has deliberately attacked their bases and over the last week injured several peacekeepers.