At least 40 countries have reaffirmed their full support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and urged protection for its personnel, five of whom were injured over the past two days. These contributing countries strongly condemned the recent attacks against peacekeeping forces and called for proper investigations into these incidents.
The 40 nations emphasized the crucial role of UNIFIL, especially given the escalating tensions in the Middle East. UNIFIL’s spokesperson warned of a “regional conflict with catastrophic effects for everyone,” in an interview with Sky News Arabia, noting that Tel Aviv is expected to protect the peacekeepers. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti reported that their forces were targeted at several locations, resulting in four injuries, damage to security cameras at their bases, and drones being sent to areas where UNIFIL forces are stationed—serious breaches of Resolution 1701 and violations of international humanitarian law.
Tenenti highlighted that the attacks on UNIFIL sites had disrupted some of their monitoring equipment and injured their personnel. He explained that they are under special protection according to international law, and any attack on them is considered a war crime by the International Criminal Court.
Despite Israel’s request for UNIFIL to move away from the Blue Line, they refused and chose to stay, emphasizing the need to monitor the situation as much as possible despite limited capabilities. UNIFIL sees Tel Aviv’s request for its forces to vacate positions in southern Lebanon as a direct conflict with its mandate from the Security Council and as an illegitimate interference in UN operations.
Tenenti stressed that it’s crucial for Israel to recognize its duty to ensure the safety and security of their forces. As Israel encourages UNIFIL elements to stay out of the strike range, international circles grow increasingly skeptical of Israel’s desire to remove UN forces from Lebanon. Military experts suggest that the Israeli army may be deliberately targeting UNIFIL to remove its elements from Lebanon to advance more aggressively in their ground operation without restraint, even if it challenges the international community.
Several countries have expressed their disapproval of Israeli actions. The French Foreign Ministry, awaiting clarifications from Israel, emphasized that the protection of peacekeeping forces is an obligation that applies to all parties in any conflict. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, insisted on the necessity of ensuring the security of UNIFIL and the Lebanese army. The UAE strongly condemned the attack on UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, which resulted in injuries among the force members. Assistant Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Lana Zaki Nusseibeh stated that targeting peace forces violates the principles of international law and the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The UAE reaffirmed its firm support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial unity, and for the significant role that UN peacekeeping forces play in Lebanon. The UAE also reiterated its support for international efforts aimed at de-escalation and an immediate ceasefire.
