UNIFIL Reportedly Mulls Ways to Limit Impact of Violence but Denies Change in Rules of Engagement

The leadership of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and several European countries that have contingents in the peacekeeping force are reportedly mulling ways to avoid confrontations similar to last Sunday’s clashes between Israel and demonstrators in the border town of Maroun al-Ras.

Western diplomatic sources told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat in remarks published Thursday that the UNIFIL leadership and the European countries were discussing with high-ranking Lebanese officials ways to keep the mission of the peacekeepers intact.

The recurrence of such an incident could push some countries to change the mission of the peacekeeping force, limit its role or even downsize the troops, the sources warned.

They told al-Hayat that Lebanese authorities have blamed Israel’s “violent” actions for the bloodshed in Maroun al-Ras on Nakba Day last Sunday.

But UNIFIL deputy spokesman Andrea Tenenti denied on Thursday that the peacekeeping force was planning to change its rules of engagement.

He said in a statement that UNIFIL was unaware of Israeli threats to Lebanon, saying it hasn’t received any message from the Jewish state on the matter.

Peacekeepers are investigating the incident at Maroun al-Ras, Tenenti added.

Thousands of unarmed Palestinians in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza marched on the Jewish state's borders on Sunday. Those who managed to cross — from Syria — were eventually returned, and at least 15 people were killed by Israeli army fire that day.