UN, Oct 14 (V7N): UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday reiterated the importance of guaranteeing the safety and security of UN personnel and property following an incident in which Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) breached a UN peacekeeping post in southern Lebanon.

The incident occurred early Sunday when two IDF Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate of a UN position and entered forcibly, according to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). After the tanks left, several rounds were fired nearby, emitting smoke that affected the peacekeepers, UN News reported.

This incident follows several recent attacks targeting peacekeepers. UNIFIL confirmed that five peacekeepers have been injured, while UN positions have been damaged, and critical operations disrupted.

Guterres emphasized that the safety of UN personnel must be respected at all times and that the inviolability of UN premises is essential. He paid tribute to UNIFIL personnel, stating that "peacekeepers remain in all positions and the UN flag continues to fly."

UNIFIL, established by the UN Security Council, is tasked with monitoring hostilities, ensuring Israeli forces withdraw from southern Lebanon, and supporting the Lebanese government's authority in the region.

The Secretary-General condemned any attacks against peacekeepers, stressing they may constitute war crimes under international law. He called on all parties, including the IDF, to avoid actions that endanger UN personnel and renewed his call for a cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701.

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