Forty nations that contribute to the UN peacekeeping pressure in Lebanon stated Saturday that they “strongly condemn latest assaults” on the peacekeepers.
“Such actions should cease instantly and ought to be adequately investigated,” stated the joint assertion, posted on X by the Polish UN mission and signed by nations together with main contributors Indonesia, Italy and India.
Different signatories embody Ghana, Nepal, Malaysia, Spain, France and China — all international locations which have contributed a number of hundred troops to the pressure.
At the least 5 peacekeepers have been wounded in latest days as Israel takes its combat in opposition to Hezbollah into southern Lebanon.
The peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, has accused the Israeli army of “intentionally” firing on its positions.
The 40 contributing international locations “reaffirm our full assist for UNIFIL’s mission and actions, whose principal intention is to convey stabilization and lasting peace in South Lebanon in addition to within the Center East,” the assertion learn.
“We urge the events of the battle to respect UNIFIL’s presence, which entails the duty to ensure the protection and safety of its personnel always,” it added.
UNIFIL, which includes about 9,500 troops of some 50 nationalities, is tasked with monitoring a ceasefire that ended a 33-day conflict in 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah.
Its function was bolstered by UN Safety Council Decision 1701 of that yr, which stipulated that solely the Lebanese military and UN peacekeepers ought to be deployed in south Lebanon.
At a summit on Friday, French, Italian and Spanish leaders stated the “assaults” on UNIFIL peacekeepers violated Decision 1701 and should finish.
UNIFIL stated that, in latest days, its forces have “repeatedly” come underneath hearth within the Lebanese city of Naqura the place it’s headquartered, in addition to in different positions.
The mission stated that Israeli tank hearth on Thursday induced two Indonesian peacekeepers to fall off a watch tower in Naqura.
The next day it stated explosions near an remark tower in Naqura wounded two Sri Lankan Blue Helmets, whereas Israel stated it had responded to an “instant menace” close to a UN peacekeeping place.
On Saturday UNIFIL stated a peacekeeper in Naqura “was hit by gunfire” on Friday evening.
UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti instructed AFP the peacekeeping mission’s work had turn into “very tough as a result of there may be lots of injury, even contained in the bases.”