Lebanese Members of Parliament from the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc are touring the capital Beirut inspecting damage from Israeli airstrikes on October 15, 2024. (Social media)

On Tuesday, members of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc, Loyalty to the Resistance, toured Beirut and its Southern Suburb to assess the damage caused by the ongoing Israeli occupation airstrikes.

MP Amin Sherri, speaking to Russian news agency Sputnik, noted that "Israel" continues its attempts to intimidate residents in Beirut and Keserwan, citing the recent airstrike on Aitou in the Zgharta District of northern Lebanon.

"There are no Hezbollah targets in civilian areas," Sherri clarified, emphasizing that "the natural place for the fighters is on the southern front." He criticized the international community's silence on "Israel's" attacks, stating, "The criminal Israeli enemy is targeting civilians before combatants, following a policy of killing that includes targeting medics and civil defense centers."

He argued that since 1948, the Israeli occupation military has used violence as a means of subjugating civilians. However, Sherri asserted that the Lebanese people remain resilient, as they were in the 1940s and 2006, and that "Israel will not succeed in breaking their resolve."

Sherri highlighted the contrast between Hezbollah's military focus and "Israel's" targeting of civilians, noting the absence of international action. "While the resistance only targets military bases, Israel is attacking Lebanese civilians," he said.

He also attributed the lack of consequences for "Israel's" actions and massacres to US support, explaining that "US backing is the reason behind the lack of deterrence for the Israeli military," and suggested that Washington is giving "Israel" a week or two to achieve its objectives.

Sherri also questioned the efficacy of the UN peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) in South Lebanon, particularly in light of recent Israeli occupation attacks, and asked, "Does the international community approve of such attacks on its forces?"

Concluding, he remarked that "the battlefield will ultimately determine the final solution for entering into any settlement."

Israeli forces tore through UNIFIL base in third deliberate attack

UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) issued a strong condemnation on Sunday, October 13, following a third deliberate violation by "Israel" where Israeli occupation forces (IOF) crossed the Blue Line into Lebanon and forcibly entered a UN position in Ramyah.

According to the statement, three platoons of IOF soldiers, supported by two Merkava tanks, crossed into the area at around 4:30 am, destroying the UN base's main gate and demanding that the compound turn off its lights. The tanks withdrew about 45 minutes later after UNIFIL lodged a formal protest through established liaison channels.

At approximately 6:40 am, peacekeepers at the same UN position reported nearby rounds of fire, with smoke entering the camp. Despite the use of protective masks, 15 peacekeepers experienced skin irritation and gastrointestinal issues because of the smoke, requiring medical treatment.

UNIFIL also reported that IOF soldiers obstructed a critical UN logistical movement near Mays al-Jabal on Saturday, denying it passage and preventing the completion of the mission.

In its statement, UNIFIL reminded the IOF of its obligations under international law, including UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006), which calls for the safety of UN personnel and respect for the inviolability of UN premises.

"Breaching and entering a UN position is a serious violation of international law," the statement read. "Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law."

The peacekeeping force has requested an explanation from the IOF for the "shocking violations" and reiterated that any restrictions on its freedom of movement are also violations of Resolution 1701.