The Israeli army announced on Saturday that its forces were assisting United Nations peacekeepers in repelling an attack in the Golan Heights. This incident occurred within the UN-patrolled buffer zone, a historically tense area between Israeli and Syrian-controlled territories. According to the Israeli military, the assault was carried out by "armed individuals" targeting a UN post near Hader, a Syrian town bordering the buffer zone.

 

A spokesperson for the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) confirmed reports of unidentified armed individuals in the separation area. "Approximately 20 of these individuals entered one of our mission's positions in the northern part of the buffer zone," the UN Peacekeeping representative said. Stressing the importance of respecting international protocols, they added, "The inviolability of UN premises must be respected at all times."

 

The Israeli army affirmed its role in supporting UNDOF during the incident. "The [Israeli army] is currently assisting the UN forces in repelling the attack," the military stated. However, as of Saturday evening, the army refrained from commenting on whether the attack was ongoing.

 

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also addressed the situation, emphasizing concerns over violations of the longstanding armistice agreement established in 1974. Speaking through a post on X, Saar noted that "armed forces entered the buffer zone on the Syrian side of the border with Israel. Among other things, attacks were carried out on the [peacekeepers] in the area." He reaffirmed Israel's stance of non-involvement in Syria's internal conflict but expressed unease over these developments.

 

On the same day, reports emerged of Syrian rebels capturing the provincial capital of Quneitra, approximately 12 kilometers (eight miles) south of Hader. This advance marks a renewed escalation in Syria’s civil war, which had seen a surge in rebel activity in recent weeks, leading to the capture of multiple key cities across the country. 

 

The Israeli military remains focused on monitoring potential threats. During a visit to the Syrian border on Saturday, Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi emphasized that Israel's "primary focus is on observing Iran's movements and interests," with a "secondary focus" on Syrian factions, ensuring they do not inadvertently target Israeli territory.

 

The Golan Heights, a region captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed, has been a focal point of international disputes. The annexation remains unrecognized by most of the international community. Since 1974, UNDOF has been tasked with maintaining a buffer zone between Israeli and Syrian-controlled areas, navigating the complex dynamics of this contested region.

 

The recent attack recalls a similar incident in August 2014, when Islamist rebels assaulted UNDOF positions and took over 40 Fijian peacekeepers hostage. Those peacekeepers were held for nearly two weeks before being released. This history underscores the persistent volatility of the region and the challenges faced by peacekeeping forces tasked with maintaining stability amidst ongoing conflict.

 

Based on a report by France 24 2024-12-09

 

 

 

That'll make a change from shooting at their bases and vehicles as they were doing in Lebanon.

 

 

 

https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/10/1155801

 

‘Yet another’ Israeli strike on peacekeepers’ position in southern Lebanon

2 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

That'll make a change from shooting at their bases and vehicles as they were doing in Lebanon.

 

 

 

https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/10/1155801

 

‘Yet another’ Israeli strike on peacekeepers’ position in southern Lebanon

Not everything is always as it seems even though you'd love it to be.

 

Italy Says Hezbollah Staged UN Base Attack It Had Blamed On Israel

Italy's defence ministry said Tuesday that the Hezbollah group staged an attack on a UN peacekeeping base in Lebanon that it initially blamed on Israel.

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto had said in Brussels that Israeli forces staged the new attack on the UN base in the Lebanese town of Chamaa. But a defence ministry source said that Crosetto only "had partial information" when he spoke.

"Hezbollah was responsible for the attack," the source told AFP.

https://www.barrons.com/news/italy-condemns-intolerable-israeli-attack-against-un-force-in-lebanon-3e1e87a1

 

IDF says Hezbollah behind attacks on two UNIFIL bases today in Lebanon

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-says-hezbollah-behind-attacks-on-two-unifil-bases-today-in-lebanon/

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

That'll make a change from shooting at their bases and vehicles as they were doing in Lebanon.

 

 

 

https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/10/1155801

 

‘Yet another’ Israeli strike on peacekeepers’ position in southern Lebanon

 

And here was I thinking everyone finally understood the UN is farce - a haven for the socialists and activists that has stymied progress in the Middle East through their deceitful UNRWA program, support for Hamas and failure to implement Res 1701 in southern Lebanon. A horrid disgrace and long overdue for a major overhaul.

The IDF wouldn't care to fire on them, as they are used to simply ignoring them.