https://arab.news/r79f8
- Israel has disputed some UN accounts of incidents involving UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they were providing 鈥渉uman shields鈥� for Hezbollah militants
AMSTERDAM: The European Union condemns all attacks against United Nations missions, the union鈥檚 foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a response to targeting of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, by the Israel Defense Forces.
鈥淪uch attacks against UN peacekeepers constitute a grave violation of international law and are totally unacceptable. These attacks must stop immediately,鈥� Borrell said in a statement on behalf of the EU published Sunday night.
鈥淭he EU condemns all attacks against UN missions,鈥� Borrell said.
鈥淚t expresses particularly grave concern regarding the attacks by the Israeli Defense Forces against UNIFIL, which left several peacekeepers wounded.鈥�
Israel has disputed some UN accounts of incidents involving UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they were providing 鈥渉uman shields鈥� for Hezbollah militants during an upsurge in hostilities.
In his statement, Borrell said 鈥渁ll actors鈥� in the conflict have the obligation to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property.
鈥淲e urgently await explanations and a thorough investigation from the Israeli authorities about the attacks against UNIFIL, which plays a fundamental role in the stability of South Lebanon,鈥� he said.
Spain's Foreign Minister has also made several key statements regarding the situation involving the UNIFIL and Israel. He condemned the attacks by Israel on UNIFIL, calling them "unacceptable."
He also emphasized that only the United Nations has the authority to order the withdrawal of UNIFIL forces, reaffirming the importance of the mission, stating that the work UNIFIL is doing is "valid and necessary."