Condemnation of Israeli actions towards UN peacekeepers in Lebanon

The situation has intensified since Israel’s ground invasion of southern Lebanon last month in response to rocket fire from Hezbollah. Recent attacks by Israeli forces have resulted in injuries to UN peacekeepers, prompting strong reactions from various countries. For instance, two Sri Lankan soldiers were injured after Israeli troops opened fire near a UN base, while two Indonesian soldiers were hurt when an Israeli tank fired towards their observation post. In response to these incidents, leaders from France, Italy, and Spain have condemned Israel’s actions as unjustifiable. The UN’s peacekeeping chief has raised concerns about the direct targeting of UN positions, indicating a troubling trend in the conflict that jeopardizes the safety of international peacekeepers.

International Reactions

• US Response: President Biden has explicitly called for Israel to stop firing at UN peacekeepers, highlighting the importance of protecting these forces as they operate in a volatile region.
• Condemnation from Other Nations: Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry expressed strong condemnation of the attacks on its soldiers, while a coalition of European leaders has demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities towards UN personnel.

Context of the Conflict

The backdrop of these incidents is a broader conflict involving Hezbollah and Israel, which has escalated since the Hamas attacks on Israel last October. The ongoing violence has led to significant civilian casualties and displacement within Lebanon, further complicating the security landscape. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has been stationed in the region since 1978, is tasked with maintaining peace along the Israel-Lebanon border, yet Israel has questioned its effectiveness and called for a repositioning of peacekeepers to facilitate its military operations against Hezbollah.