UN peacekeepers in Lebanon have accused Israeli forces of firing at some of their positions, as Israel expands its assaults all through Lebanon.
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mentioned on Thursday that two of their peacekeepers had been injured when an Israeli tank fired at a watchtower on the power’s headquarters in Ras an-Naqoura, inflicting them to fall.
UNIFIL mentioned in a press release that any assault on peacekeepers is a “grave violation of international humanitarian law”.
The peacekeeping organisation, which consists of about 10,000 peacekeepers from 50 nations and was established in 1978, mentioned Israeli forces had “deliberately” fired at its positions alongside the border.
Here are some key reactions to the alleged assault on UN peacekeepers:
UNIFIL
UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti informed Al Jazeera that the assault was a “very serious” growth.
Tenenti defined that Israel had beforehand requested the peacekeepers to maneuver from “certain positions” close to the border, however “we decided to stay because it’s important for the UN flag to fly in [the] south of Lebanon.”
“If the situation becomes impossible for the mission to operate in the south of Lebanon … it will be up to the Security Council to decide how to move forward,” he mentioned.
“At the moment, we are staying, we are trying to do whatever we can to monitor [and] to provide assistance,” Tenenti added.
Israel
Israel’s army mentioned its troops opened hearth close to a UNIFIL after instructing UN forces in the realm to stay in protected areas.
It mentioned in a press release that Hezbollah fighters function from inside and close to civilian areas in southern Lebanon, together with areas close to UNIFIL posts.
“The IDF is operating in southern Lebanon and maintains routine communication with UNIFIL,” the Israeli army mentioned, utilizing the acronym for Israel Defense Forces.
Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, mentioned he really useful that the peacekeeping power relocate 5 kilometers north “while the situation along the Blue line remains volatile as a result of Hezbollah aggression”.
United States
The White House is “deeply concerned” by experiences Israel fired on UN peacekeeper headquarters in south Lebanon, a National Security Council spokesperson mentioned.
“We understand Israel is conducting targeted operations near the Blue Line to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure that could be used to threaten Israeli citizens,” the spokesperson mentioned, referring to the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon. “While they undertake these operations, it is critical that they not threaten UN peacekeepers’ safety and security.”
Italy
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto known as the assault on the UNIFIL bases “totally unacceptable”.
“This was not a mistake and not an accident,” Crosetto informed a information convention.
“It could constitute a war crime and represented a very serious violation of international military law,” he mentioned.
He added that he had summoned the Israeli ambassador to demand an evidence of the assault.
France
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs condemned the assault and mentioned it was ready for an evidence from Israel as to why the assault happened.
“France expresses its deep concern following the Israeli shots that hit the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and condemns any attack on the security of UNIFIL,” the Foreign Ministry mentioned in a press release.
“The protection of peacekeepers is an obligation that applies to all parties to a conflict,” the assertion added.
Spain
The Spanin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs known as the assault a “grave violation of international law”.
“The Spanish government strongly condemns the Israeli fire that hit the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura ,” the ministry mentioned in a press release, including that the safety of the peacekeepers is “guaranteed”.
European Union
Foreign coverage chief Josep Borrell mentioned the assault on the peacekeepers, whose positions are well-known, is an “inadmissible act, for which there is no justification”.
“Two Blue Helmets have been wounded and this is unacceptable. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of International Humanitarian Law and of the UNSC [UN Security Council] Resolution 1701: Israel has an obligation to respect both. Full accountability is needed,” Borrell wrote on X.
He reiterated the EU’s “full support” to UNIFIL.
