40 countries ‘strongly condemn’ Israeli attacks on UN peacekeepers

Forty countries contributing to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon on Saturday condemned recent Israeli attacks on the mission and called for an investigation of the incidents.

At least five peacekeepers in the mission, known as UNIFIL, have been wounded in recent days amid escalating violence in southern Lebanon after Israel launched a ground invasion against the Hezbollah militant group.

The 40 countries said they “strongly condemn recent attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers,” according to a statement issued Saturday. “Such actions must stop immediately and should be adequately investigated,” they said.  

“We consider UNIFIL’s role as particularly crucial in light of the escalating situation in the region,” the countries said in the statement, which was published on X by the Polish mission to the U.N.

The statement also urged “the parties of the conflict” to ensure the security and safety of the peacekeeping personnel “so that they can continue … their work of mediation and support for peace and stability.”

Spain, France and Italy had already slammed the attacks on UNIFIL as “unjustifiable.” On Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden said he was “absolutely, positively” urging Israel to stop targeting U.N. peacekeepers.

UNIFIL said that its facilities have been “repeatedly hit” and that Israeli forces had “deliberately” fired shots at the mission’s headquarters in the town of Naqoura.

Israeli forces asked UNIFIL to withdraw from some of its positions, but “there was a unanimous decision to stay” in the area, UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told AFP on Saturday.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon to evacuate the region “immediately.” In a video statement, Netanyahu told UNIFIL to move its personnel “out of harm’s way,” claiming that their presence in the region made them “hostages of Hezbollah.”

UNIFIL was established as an interim force in 1978 to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon and help restore peace in the region. In 2006, when war broke out between Israel and Hezbollah, its mandate was expanded to monitor the cessation of hostilities and support the Lebanese army. The force counts more than 10,000 troops drawn from 50 countries, as well as about 800 civilian staff.