The Israel attack on UNIFIL was a stark surprise. Aren't these peacekeepers supposed to be protected? Why did it become a target? What the hell is going on?
The incident occurred on October 10, 2024, when the Israel army actually opened fire on the UNIFIL guard tower with tanks, injuring two peacekeepers. This is simply outrageous! Does Israel not know that these people are here to maintain peace?
UNIFIL: peacekeeping or beaten?
Speaking of UNIFIL, it's no ordinary cow. This force was established in 1978 to oversee Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon and to maintain peace and security in the region. UNIFIL has been operating in the Lebanese-Israeli border area for 46 years and is arguably one of the oldest United Nations peacekeeping operations.
The main tasks of UNIFIL include monitoring the ceasefire, assisting the Government of Lebanon in restoring effective control over the southern sector and supporting humanitarian assistance. This force, made up of soldiers from more than 40 countries, can be described as an international hodgepodge. Since 2006, China has also been sending peacekeepers to UNIFIL, mainly responsible for demining and medical tasks.
However, UNIFIL has been in an awkward position. On the one hand, they have to remain neutral and not take sides; On the other hand, it is not easy to maintain peace in a complex situation. UNIFIL has often been criticized for its inability to effectively prevent conflicts, and it has even been said that they are "useless ornaments".
The Israel attack had put UNIFIL in a dilemma. Retreat, sorry for the peacekeeping mission; If you stay, you have to risk your life again. What a dilemma!
Israel: Peacekeepers or Shields?
Israel's actions this time have gone too far. Not only was the tank fired on 10 October, but the attacks continued in the following days, resulting in more peacekeepers being injured and watchtowers damaged. The most outrageous thing is that there are rockets that fall into the camp of the Chinese peacekeepers, which is simply playing with fire!
The explanation given by the Israel side was that they were responding to attacks from the Lebanon side. But can this justify attacking peacekeeping forces? UNIFIL is not the Lebanon army, they are just neutral peacekeepers!
Some analysts believe that Israel may be trying to force the international community to put pressure on Lebanon by attacking UNIFIL. Others say that Israel wants to test the response of the international community and pave the way for possible future military action. Whatever the reason, this behavior is extremely dangerous and irresponsible.
Countries such as the EU16 and China have strongly condemned Israel's actions. The Minister of Defense of Italy even directly stated that the attacks constituted war crimes. It can be said that Israel has offended the international community this time.
The international community: Condemnation is easier said than action?
In the face of Israel's wanton behavior, the response of the international community can be described as angry and urgent. The decision of the EU countries to put pressure on Israel through political and diplomatic means reaffirmed the importance of UNIFIL to the stability of Lebanon. But can condemnation and diplomatic pressure alone really stop Israel?
China, as an important participant in UNIFIL, has also taken a position this time. The spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that China was deeply shocked by the Israel attack on UNIFIL and demanded that the Israeli side immediately cease all acts that endanger the safety of UNIFIL personnel and United Nations facilities. However, the Chinese peacekeepers did not retreat, but continued to fulfill their peacekeeping tasks. This kind of persistence is really admirable.
However, the response of the international community has also exposed a number of problems. For example, why not take tougher measures against Israel? Is it because Israel has strong allies behind it? Also, why didn't the UN Security Council respond faster and more forcefully? These are all questions worth considering.
The Peacekeeping Dilemma: Peacemakers or Innocent Victims?
What happened to UNIFIL is a reflection of the dilemma facing peacekeeping operations in the world today. Peacekeepers, who are supposed to be messengers of peace, are often targeted by parties to conflicts. They do not have powerful weapons in their hands and cannot actively participate in the battle, so they can only complete their mission with difficulty in the face of danger.
It was noted that the rules of United Nations peacekeeping operations might need to be changed. For example, should peacekeepers be given more powers to defend themselves? Should there be harsher penalties for attacks on peacekeepers? These are all issues that need to be addressed urgently.
In addition, the funding of peacekeeping operations is a difficult one. Many countries owed their contributions to the United Nations, resulting in peacekeeping operations often facing a shortage of funds. This not only affects the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations, but also chills the countries involved in peacekeeping.
What is the future: how far is the road to peace?
The attack on UNIFIL has undoubtedly cast a shadow over the Sino-Dong peace process. Israel's actions not only threatened the safety of peacekeepers, but also seriously undermined the confidence of the international community in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
But we're also seeing some positive signs. For example, despite the attacks, Chinese peacekeepers have remained at their posts and continue to carry out their peacekeeping missions. This spirit deserves our admiration. Moreover, the strong reaction of the international community to this incident has also demonstrated the desire for peace and the determination to uphold justice.
However, there is still a long way to go before peace can truly be achieved between China and Dong. It is necessary for all parties to put aside their prejudices and resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation. At the same time, the international community should be more actively involved in creating the conditions for peace.
The experience of UNIFIL has shown us the difficulties of peacekeeping operations and made us cherish the preciousness of peace even more. Peace does not fall from the sky, it requires the efforts of each and every one of us. Hopefully, one day, we will see a world without war, without conflict. At that time, maybe there would be no need for peacekeepers, right?
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