[lbo-talk] Re: Why Bomb UN Observers?

[Stuart Elliott]

Joanna asked "Why bomb UN observers?" She continued, "One puzzlement: why is 
Israel bombing UN observers? What can be the point of that?

A lot of speculation followed. Colin Brace opined "a signal to third parties 
not to send in peace-keeping forces" and "a massive "fuck you" to the 
international community"  Carl Remick pronounced "The Israelis seem to have 
some sort of obsessive-compulsive bombing disorder.  They just *have* to 
bomb, somebody anybody, constantly:.." Daniel Davis said that that reason 
would be "you are planning on doing something that you don't want the UN to 
observe" but pointed out that it has not been conclusively proved that the 
bombing was on purpose.

Indeed.  Check out the news releases 
(http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/unifilpress.htm) from the 
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and it becomes possible to 
offer a fact-based answer to Joanna's questions.

Israel has bombed UN observers because Hezbollah has routinely fired from 
the vicinity of UN positions.  So let's also ask "why is Hezbollah firing 
from the vicinity of UN observers?"  Moreover, according to UNIFIL, 
Hezbollah has fired on UN posts and convoys.

Here are excerpts from UNIFIL's press releases.  (These are meant to provide 
the basis to answer Joanna's questions, not to give a full picture of 
UNIFIL, Israeli, and Hezbollah actions along the border.)

July 20

Hezbollah firing was also reported from the immediate vicinity of the UN 
positions in Naqoura and Maroun Al Ras areas at the time of the incidents.

July 24

One unarmed UN military observer, a member of the Observer Group Lebanon 
(OGL), was seriously  wounded by small arms fire in the patrol base in the 
Marun Al Ras area yesterday afternoon. According to preliminary reports, the 
fire originated from the Hezbollah side during an exchange with the IDF.

July 25

This morning, Hezbollah opened small arms fire at a UNIFIL convoy consisting 
of two armored personnel carriers (APC) on the road between Kunin and Bint 
Jubayl. There was some damage to the APCs, but no casualties, and the convoy 
was obliged to return to Kunin.

July 26

Another UN position of the Ghanaian battalion in the area of Marwahin in the 
western sector was also directly hit by one mortar round from the Hezbollah 
side last night. The round did not explode, and there were no casualties or 
material damage. Another 5 incidents of firing close to UN positions from 
the Israeli side were reported yesterday. It was also reported that 
Hezbollah fired from the vicinity of four UN positions at Alma ash Shab, 
Tibnin, Brashit, and At Tiri.

The number of troops in some Ghanaian battalion positions is somewhat 
reduced because of the increased safety risk for the troops due to frequent 
incidents of Hezbollah firing from the vicinity of the positions, and 
shelling and bombardment close to the positions from the Israeli side.

July 27

Hezbollah firing was also reported from the immediate vicinity of the UN 
positions in Naqoura and Maroun Al Ras areas at the time of the incidents.

July 28

There were two direct impacts on UNIFIL positions from the Israeli side in 
the past 24 hours. Eight artillery and mortar rounds impacted inside an 
Indian battalion position in the area of Hula, causing extensive material 
damage, but no casualties. One artillery round impacted the parameter wall 
of the UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura. There were five other incidents of 
firing close to UN positions from the Israeli side. It was also reported 
that Hezbollah fired from the vicinity of five UN positions at Alma Ash 
Shab, At Tiri, Bayt Yahoun, Brashit, and Tibnin.

July 29

There were two incidents of firing close to UNIFIL positions from the 
Israeli side in the area of Marwahin and Deir Mimess in the past 24 hours. 
At the same time, it was reported that Hezbollah fired from the vicinity of 
six UN positions at Tibnin (2), At Tiri, Beit Yahoun, and Alma Ash Shab (2). 
UNIFIL strongly protested all these incidents to the Israeli and Lebanese 
authorities respectively.


July 30

It was reported that Hezbollah fired rockets from the vicinity of three UN 
positions in the area of Tibnin, At Tiri and Brashit. They also fired small 
arms fire from the vicinity of two UN positions in the area of Alma Ash Shab 
and Al Duhayyra. UNIFIL strongly protested all these incidents to the 
Israeli and Lebanese authorities.

It was reported that Hezbollah fired rockets from the vicinity of this 
UNIFIL position prior to the aerial bombardment. Hezbollah also fired small 
arms fire from the vicinity of the same position. They also fired rockets 
from the vicinity of two UNIFIL positions in the area of Tibnin and At Tiri 
in the central sector. There was one more incident of firing from the 
Israeli side close to UNIFIL position in the area of Mays al Jabal, when 10 
tank rounds impacted 100 meters from the UN position. UNIFIL strongly 
protested all these incidents to the Israeli and Lebanese authorities 
respectively.

July 31

Two tank rounds from the Israeli side impacted directly on a UNIFIL position 
in the general area of Hula yesterday afternoon, causing extensive material 
damage, including the ammunition shelter, but no casualties. One aerial bomb 
impacted in the vicinity of a UN position in the area of Alma Ash Shab 
yesterday morning, causing damage to the parameter wall. It was reported 
that Hezbollah fired rockets from the vicinity of this UNIFIL position prior 
to the aerial bombardment. Hezbollah also fired small arms fire from the 
vicinity of the same position. They also fired rockets from the vicinity of 
two UNIFIL positions in the area of Tibnin and At Tiri in the central 
sector.

Stuart Elliott
http://newappeal.blogspot.com/