Johannesburg,South Africa

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the United Nations(UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to remove UN's peacekeepers which are stationed in southern Lebanon.

Netanyahu's call for the removal of UNIFIL peacekeepers comes after Israel Defence Force(IDF) harassed and injured UN personnel in their bases few days ago.

Netanyahu revealed that in his conversation with Italian Prime Minister told her that Hezbollah is using UNIFIL as human shields.

"I informed the Italian Prime Minister of my numerous appeals to the UN Secretary-General that:The time has come to withdraw UNIFIL forces from Hezbollah strongholds and combat zones.The IDF has repeatedly requested this and faced repeated refusals,allowing Hezbollah terrorists to use UNIFIL as cover and human shields.The refusal to temporarily evacuate UNIFIL has turned them into hostages of Hezbollah,putting both UNIFIL and IDF soldiers at risk,"said Netanyahu.

Netanyahu has expressed his disapproval of what happened to the UNIFIL personnel which were attacked by IDF and he promised to try his best to protect the peacekeepers.

"I also expressed my regret of any harm done to UNIFIL personnel and emphasized that the IDF is doing everything possible to prevent it from reoccurring.The best way to assure UNIFIL safety is to have UNIFIL get out of harm's way immediately,"he continued.

He added that Israel will make every effort to prevent UNIFIL casualties and will do what it takes to win the war.

He is totally despondent that his country's allies in Europe are blaming Israel for what happened in UN peacekeepers.

"Unfortunately,several European leaders are applying pressure in the wrong direction.Instead of criticizing Israel that is fighting on the front lines for civilization,they should be directing their criticism at Hezbollah and their Iranian patrons,who are using UNIFIL as human shields,"Netanyahu concluded.

However,it look like Netanyahu's statement is futile because on Sunday the UN peacekeepers has issued a statement that implicates IDF on wrongdoings towards their personnel not Hezbollah.

"Early this morning,peacekeepers at UN position in Ramyah observed three platoons of IDF soldiers crossing the Blue Line into Lebanon.

"At around 4:30 a.m.,while peacekeepers were in shelters,two IDF Merkava tanks destroyed the position's main gate and forcibly entered the position.They requested multiple times that the base turn out its lights.The tanks left about 45 minutes later after UNIFIL protested through our liaison mechanism,saying that IDF presence was putting peacekeepers in danger.

At around 6:40 a.m.,peacekeepers at the same position reported the firing of several rounds 100 metres north,which emitted smoke.Despite putting on protective masks,fifteen peacekeepers suffered effects,including skin irritation and gastrointestinal reactions,after the smoke entered the camp.The peacekeepers are receiving treatment,"said UNIFIL on Telegram.

UNIFIL also revealed that what happened in Ramyah was not the first incident whereby IDF has terrorised their personnel while conducting its duties.

"In addition,yesterday,IDF soldiers stopped a critical UNIFIL logistical movement near Meiss ej Jebel,denying it passage.The critical movement could not be completed.

For the fourth time in as many days,we remind the IDF and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times,"continued UNIFIL.

UNIFIL emphasised that breaching and entering a UN position is a further flagrant violation of international law and Security Council resolution 1701(2006).Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and Resolution 1701.UNIFIL's mandate provides for its freedom of movement in its area of operations,and any restriction on this is a violation of Resolution 1701.