Israel Pushes UNIFIL North Amid Escalation with Hezbollah

Israel is advocating for the relocation of the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon as it intensifies its operations against Hezbollah. Ambassador Danny Danon suggests moving UNIFIL north to avoid danger, emphasizing Israel's commitment to force Hezbollah from its northern border to ensure residents' safety.

Israel is intensifying its operations against Hezbollah, stressing the need to relocate the United Nations peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, further north in Lebanon. The recommendation was made by Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon following confrontations that saw Israeli forces target several UN positions.

Danon emphasized that the proposal for UNIFIL to relocate 3 miles north was driven by increasing conflict along the Blue Line, resulting from Hezbollah's aggressive actions. This shift is seen as necessary to mitigate risk as the fighting escalates.

The ambassador reiterated Israel's reluctance for prolonged involvement in Lebanon, highlighting the primary goal to push Hezbollah away from the northern border, thereby allowing 70,000 displaced Israeli residents to safely return to their homes.

(With inputs from agencies.)