Aat least 40 countries on Saturday gave their “full” support to the United Nations Interim Force deployed in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) and urged them to protect the peacekeepers, five of whom were injured in 48 hours.
“We strongly condemn the latest attacks against peacekeepers. Such actions must stop immediately and be properly investigated,” wrote 34 countries contributing to this UN Force, according to a letter posted on the X account of Poland’s mission to the United Nations.
And “we urge all parties to the conflict to respect the presence of UNIFIL, implying guaranteeing the safety and security of all its employees, at all times”, continue these 34 States, to which were added six others, including, Germany and India.
Israel found itself under fire on Friday after UNIFIL accused Israeli troops of “repeatedly” and “deliberately” firing on its positions.
“We consider the role of UNIFIL to be particularly crucial in light of the escalation of tensions in the Middle East,” insisted these 40 countries, including on the European side Italy, Spain, France, the United Kingdom. United and Ireland, and also Nepal and Indonesia, two of whose peacekeepers were slightly injured by a strike against the UNIFIL headquarters.
Among the contributors and signatories, we also find China, Qatar and Turkey.
UNIFIL warned on Saturday of a “catastrophic” regional conflict, as the Israeli army battles Lebanese Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas, allies of Iran.
It was targeted by Israeli fire which since Friday has triggered a global diplomatic outcry with unanimous condemnations, including from the United States, Israel’s allies.
UNIFIL is deployed in southern Lebanon to act as a buffer against Israel. This force, which has more than 9,500 soldiers, has been caught in the crossfire between Israel and Hezbollah since the pro-Iranian movement opened a front against Israel in October 2023.
It now accuses Israeli troops of “repeated” and “deliberate” fire on its positions, having injured five peacekeepers in two days.
Rome denounced possible “war crimes” and summoned, like Paris, the Israeli ambassador to its soil.
UNIFIL is deployed between the Litani River and the Lebanese-Israeli border, and its headquarters is located in Ras al-Naqoura, near the border with Israel.
Its largest contingents come from Indonesia, India, Ghana, Italy and Nepal. Malaysia, Spain, Ireland and France also contribute men.
