UNIFIL said it used tanks to forcibly enter its base, and the Israeli military said it was an act to avoid danger.

On October 13, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that Israeli tanks destroyed the gates of their base in an aggressive action, forcibly entering the premises before departing approximately 45 minutes later. In response, the Israeli military asserted that the tanks were not attacking the base but were instead retreating to safety due to risks posed by ongoing conflict.

According to UNIFIL’s statement, the incident began around 4:30 AM when two Israeli tanks breached the gates of the UN base. Later that morning, at approximately 6:40 AM, artillery shells exploded roughly 100 meters from the base, sending thick smoke into the area. Subsequently, 15 peacekeeping personnel experienced symptoms of skin irritation and gastrointestinal issues.

Reports from Reuters indicated that Hezbollah had launched anti-tank missiles at Israeli forces, resulting in injuries to 25 soldiers. The situation developed close to the UNIFIL base, where a tank that was assisting with the evacuation of the injured came under fire, forcing it to retreat into the UN compound. An Israeli military spokesperson clarified that the tank did not intend to attack or enter the base; rather, it was retreating from heavy artillery fire under dangerous conditions that had already caused numerous casualties.

The Israeli military further stated that they utilized smoke screens to safely withdraw injured soldiers, emphasizing that their actions were not a threat to UN peacekeepers.

On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu communicated with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, calling for the withdrawal of UNIFIL from Hezbollah strongholds, accusing the force of effectively serving as a “human shield” for the group.

In the evening, Guterres’ spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric expressed respect for the UN peacekeepers who remain steadfast in their duties, reiterating that “the United Nations flag continues to fly.” He also warned that peacekeepers must never be targets of attacks.

U.S. Defense Department spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder announced that the U.S. would provide Israel with a THAAD missile defense system and deploy American troops to operate it, reinforcing Israel’s air defense capabilities amid escalating tensions in the region. Ryder noted that this marks a repeat deployment of the THAAD system in the Middle East, having previously been used for exercises in Israel back in 2019, thus underscoring the urgency of the situation given the current dynamics between Israel and Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian criticized the U.S. military presence in Israel, suggesting it puts American lives at risk. He stated that Iran has made significant efforts in recent days to prevent the outbreak of a full-scale war in the region but maintained that there are “no red lines” when it comes to defending national interests.

Additionally, on the evening of October 13, Hezbollah conducted a drone strike on a military base in northern Israel, resulting in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers and injuries to 58 others, as reported by the Israeli media.

On the following day, Israeli forces conducted an airstrike on a hospital in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, igniting tents that housed displaced Palestinians. Reports indicate that this attack has already led to four fatalities and approximately 70 injuries, with responders on the scene currently rescuing survivors. The death toll is expected to rise.