European Council President Charles Michel vehemently criticized Israel’s targeting of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), labeling the gunfire attacks as “unacceptable.”
Speaking on the sidelines of a Southeast Asian Nations summit in Laos, Michel expressed his disapproval of the attacks on the international peacekeeping mission as irresponsible and unacceptable. He urged Israel and all parties to fully respect international humanitarian law.
Accusations Against Israel The UN peacekeeping forces reported on Thursday that the Israeli military repeatedly fired at their positions in southern Lebanon, resulting in injuries to two UN peacekeepers and drawing international condemnation.
UNIFIL stated, “An Israeli Merkava tank fired towards a watchtower at the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, striking it directly and injuring two soldiers.”
The injuries were reported as non-life-threatening, though the soldiers remain hospitalized.
The Israeli military confirmed late Thursday night that its forces had fired in the area of the UN headquarters in southern Lebanon. They claimed that Hezbollah elements were detected at the location.
In a statement, the Israeli military detailed their operations near Naqoura, close to the UNIFIL headquarters, and subsequently instructed UN forces in the area to stay in protected parts before opening fire in the region.
International Condemnation European countries contributing to the UN force condemned the shelling, with Rome warning that it could amount to a “war crime.”
This incident marks the most severe reported by UNIFIL amidst the current escalation between Israel and Hezbollah.
Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for UNIFIL, said on Thursday that despite recent Israeli attacks which resulted in injuries to UN personnel and caused international concern, the peacekeeping forces are determined to remain at their posts in southern Lebanon.
Tenenti noted that Israeli attacks with tank shells and small arms fire on UNIFIL forces resulted in two injured personnel who are currently hospitalized and some disruptions to their monitoring capabilities on Wednesday and Thursday.
In an interview, Tenenti remarked, “Certainly, this may be one of the most serious incidents we have witnessed over the past 12 months.”
