Forty countries contributing to the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon have issued a joint statement condemning recent attacks on the mission, calling for an immediate halt and thorough investigation of the incidents.
The statement, shared by Poland’s UN mission on social media platform X, was signed by key contributors such as Indonesia, Italy, India, Ghana, Nepal, Malaysia, Spain, France, and China, all of whom provide substantial numbers of troops to the peacekeeping mission.
Over the past few days, at least five UN peacekeepers have been injured as Israeli military operations targeting Hezbollah militants have extended into southern Lebanon. UNIFIL, the UN’s peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, accused the Israeli military of “deliberately” firing on their positions.
The joint statement reaffirmed the nations’ full support for UNIFIL’s efforts, which aim to promote stability and long-term peace in southern Lebanon and the wider Middle East.
“We urge all parties involved in the conflict to respect UNIFIL’s presence and guarantee the safety and security of its personnel at all times,” the statement emphasized.
UNIFIL, comprising around 9,500 troops from approximately 50 countries, monitors the ceasefire established by the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The peacekeeping force operates under the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates that only the Lebanese army and UNIFIL troops should be stationed in southern Lebanon.
At a recent summit, leaders from France, Italy, and Spain condemned the attacks on UNIFIL, highlighting that they violate Resolution 1701 and demanding an end to such actions.
UNIFIL has reported multiple instances of its forces coming under fire, including incidents at its headquarters in the Lebanese town of Naqoura. On Thursday, Israeli tank fire caused two Indonesian peacekeepers to fall from a watchtower in Naqoura, while explosions near an observation post the following day wounded two Sri Lankan Blue Helmets.
Israel claimed the explosions were a response to an “immediate threat” near a UN position.
On Saturday, UNIFIL reported that another peacekeeper was injured by gunfire in Naqoura the previous night. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti described the situation as increasingly difficult, noting that significant damage has been inflicted on the peacekeeping bases.