combat area

Tensions between Israel and the UN over its peacekeeping operations in southern Lebanon have escalated in recent months, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling for the forces to pull out of “combat areas”.

In the latest standoff, the head of UN peacekeeping operations rejected a call on Monday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the forces known as Unifil to pull out of “combat areas”.

The IDF said they were “urged to leave to avoid staying in the combat area”.

Tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians remain in the combat area, many sheltering at hospitals or U.N. schools.

Spouses sometimes travel to cities near combat areas to see their loved ones for a few hours between time fighting.