United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Sunday that any attacks against peacekeepers "may constitute a war crime," his spokesperson said after Israeli tanks breached the gates of a peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon.

This incident marks the latest accusation of Israeli violations and attacks against the UN peacekeeping mission, known as UNIFIL, in recent days.

"UNIFIL peacekeepers remain in all positions, and the UN flag continues to fly," said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric in a statement. "The secretary-general reiterates that UNIFIL personnel and premises must never be targeted. Attacks against peacekeepers are breaches of international law, including international humanitarian law, and they may constitute a war crime."

On Sunday, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that two Israeli tanks destroyed the main gate of one of its positions in southern Lebanon and "forcibly entered" the site after blocking its movements the previous day.

Since September 23, the Israeli army has conducted an intense air campaign in Lebanon, dubbed "Arrows of the North," amid escalating tensions with Hezbollah. The campaign has included attacks on UNIFIL positions, injuring at least five peacekeepers over the past week.

Earlier on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the UN chief to move peacekeepers deployed in southern Lebanon out of "harm's way," accusing Hezbollah of using them as "human shields." UNIFIL, however, has repeatedly refused to withdraw from the border area.

"There was a unanimous decision to stay because it's important for the UN flag to still fly high in this region, and to be able to report to the Security Council," UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said on Saturday.

UNIFIL was originally established by the UN Security Council in March 1978 to confirm Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in regaining effective authority in the area. After the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, UNIFIL's mandate was expanded to monitor the cessation of hostilities and accompany the deployment of Lebanese armed forces throughout southern Lebanon as Israel withdrew its troops.

(With input from agencies)