Israeli attack on Ramyah UNIFIL post
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| Attack on Ramyah UNIFIL post | |
|---|---|
| Part of the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon | |
  Ramyah Location within Lebanon | |
| Location | Ramyah, Lebanon |
| Date | 13 October 2024 |
| Target |  UNIFIL |
Attack type | Shooting |
| Weapons | Two Merkava tanks and smoke screen |
| Injured | 15 UNIFIL peacekeepers |
| Perpetrator |  Israel Defense Forces |
On 13 October 2024, two Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Merkava tanks destroyed the main entrance to a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) post in Ramyah and forcibly entered the area. A few hours later, the IDF fired rounds nearby, causing injuries to 15 UNIFIL peacekeepers.[1][2]
Throughout the past week, Israeli forces repeatedly fired on areas where UNIFIL peacekeepers were present. Israeli strikes wounded 5 UNIFIL peacekeepers, including two Indonesian soldiers, on 10 October and two Sri Lankan soldiers on 11 October. France, Italy, and Spain issued a joint statement condemning Israel's conduct. Sri Lanka strongly condemned Israel's attack on its soldiers. United States president Joe Biden said he was "absolutely, positively" urging Israel to stop firing at UNIFIL peacekeepers.[3] Forty countries contributing to UNIFIL strongly condemned the Israeli attacks on peacekeepers.[4]
A few hours prior to the incident, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on UNIFIL peacekeepers to abide by Israel's evacuation orders and immediately withdraw from Lebanon, calling them "human shields" for Hezbollah. The IDF often claims that Hezbollah operates in the vicinity of the UNIFIL peacekeepers, without providing evidence. UNIFIL, with a force of 10,000 from 50 different countries, has so far refused requests from Israel to evacuate 29 positions in southern Lebanon.[5]