In a strongly worded joint statement, France, Italy, and Spain have accused Israel of “seriously violating” international humanitarian law by targeting United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon. The three European nations called the attacks “unjustifiable” and demanded they “immediately come to an end.”
The statement comes in response to recent incidents that left several peacekeepers injured in Naqoura, a town in southern Lebanon. The European powers expressed their “outrage” at these attacks, which they say constitute a breach of Israel’s obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
“We recall that all peacekeepers must be protected and reiterate our praise for the continued and indispensable commitment of UNIFIL troops/personnel in this very challenging context,” the statement read. UNIFIL, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, has been deployed in the region since 1978 to maintain stability along the Israel-Lebanon border.
The three countries emphasised the importance of UNIFIL’s mission, particularly in the current volatile situation. They called for an immediate ceasefire, highlighting the urgent need to de-escalate tensions in the region.
This condemnation from key European Union members adds to the growing international pressure on Israel regarding its military operations in and around Lebanon.
