Peacekeepers in Lebanon 'increasingly in jeopardy', security council told

A man runs for cover as a smoke raises in the background following an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, October 4, 2024. 

UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix has told the security council that the safety of more than 10,400 UN peacekeepers in Lebanon is “increasingly in jeopardy” and operations have virtually halted since late September, coinciding with Israel’s escalation against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“Peacekeepers have been confined to their bases with significant periods of time in shelter,” he said, adding that the mission - known as Unifil - was ready to support all efforts towards a diplomatic solution.