Israel Demands UNIFIL Forces Withdraw 5 km North
Israel's deliberate targeting of UNIFIL positions aims to reduce the role of international forces in the region, potentially weakening ceasefire monitoring mechanisms between the parties
October 11, 2024, 12:02 am

Israel Demands UNIFIL Forces Withdraw 5 km North

قوة اليونيفيل لبنان

In a new development of the escalating crisis on the Lebanese-Israeli border, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, called on Thursday for UNIFIL forces to move their positions 5 kilometers north, allegedly to protect them from escalating fighting.

This request was categorically rejected by UNIFIL forces, with their official spokesperson, Andrea Tenenti, affirming that the forces will remain in their positions according to their UN mandate.

In a related context, a UN source revealed that three UNIFIL sites were subjected to Israeli fire on Thursday, including the main base in Naqoura. UNIFIL also confirmed that two of its personnel were injured after an observation tower was targeted by Israeli tank fire the previous day.

In an explanatory statement, UNIFIL indicated Israeli incursions into Lebanese territory, confirming that its headquarters and neighboring sites have been repeatedly shelled. It also accused Israeli soldiers of deliberately targeting UN surveillance cameras and observation points.

These developments sparked a wave of international condemnation. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto considered that Israeli forces firing on UNIFIL positions cannot be tolerated. France and Italy also announced their intention to hold a meeting of European countries contributing to the UNIFIL force to discuss the situation.

This escalation comes at a time when confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah continue, with cross-border shelling exchanges, while UNIFIL affirms that implementing UN Resolution 1701 is the only solution to restore stability to the border area between Lebanon and Israel.

Levant-Agencies

Electric Vehicle Ownership Costs Expected to Match Gasoline Cars by 2026 Three Iranian Elements Killed in Eastern Syria by International Coalition Airstrikes

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”