NETANYAHU DEMANDS UN PEACEKEEPERS EXIT LEBANON

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intensified his demand for the immediate removal of UN peacekeepers from southern Lebanon, citing concerns they were being used as “human shields” by Hezbollah.

This demand comes amid heightened border clashes, with rockets fired into northern Israel and intensified ground operations in Gaza’s Jabaliya. The Israel Defense Forces also urged residents of 21 additional villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate, warning them of the risks near Hezbollah facilities as tensions mount on multiple fronts.

Netanyahu’s appeal has drawn backlash from Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who condemned the call as undermining international norms, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who labelled the attacks on UNIFIL troops “unacceptable” and pushed for adherence to UN Resolution 1701. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in northern Gaza worsens, with ongoing bombardments described by aid workers as forcing residents into a “death march” without a safe escape route.

As the situation deteriorates, fears grow that the conflict could spiral into a broader regional war, with UN officials warning of “catastrophic” consequences if diplomacy fails. Iran and Iraq have also weighed in, pledging to keep their airspace free from military use while urging de-escalation between the warring sides.