The increasingly intense mutual shelling between Hezbollah and Israel is now also ringing alarm bells at the UN observer mission UNIFIL, in which soldiers from the federal army are involved. For security reasons, patrols in the border area between Israel and Lebanon have been suspended until further notice.
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) was concerned. But the troops are doing ‘well’. “The situation with our troops in UNIFIL has not changed. “We are of course looking at the Lebanese Republic with concerned eyes,” Tanner said on Tuesday. A total of around 170 Austrian soldiers are currently deployed on site. “In such a situation, it is important that our peacekeepers remain in their bases,” Tanner emphasized. In the event of an alarm, the designated shelters would be occupied. The armed forces are prepared for this.
“Given the growing unrest in Lebanon, it is actually nothing new for our troops,” the minister tried to put things into perspective. If it becomes too dangerous on the ground, this is the assessment and responsibility of UNIFIL or the United Nations.
Blue helmet soldiers injured in explosion
UNIFIL has been monitoring the border area between Israel and Lebanon since 1978. In August, three peacekeepers were slightly injured in an explosion near their vehicle in southern Lebanon. The mission – one of the oldest active within the UN – comprises some 10,000 soldiers and 800 civilians. Given the tense situation, some have already been sent to the safer north of the country, it was said. More than 300 peacekeepers have been killed since the mission began.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
