The United States has formally advised Israel to cease military actions targeting United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. This comes after two consecutive incidents where Israeli forces injured UN peacekeepers during its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. US President Joe Biden expressed his strong disapproval of these actions, urging Israel to halt any further attacks on UN personnel stationed in the region.
In recent days, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been involved in multiple cross-border skirmishes with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group, in southern Lebanon. These clashes have intensified, resulting in numerous casualties on both sides. However, the involvement of UN peacekeepers, who operate under the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), has drawn significant international condemnation, particularly from the US and European leaders.
US Condemns Israeli Actions
The key incident occurred on Friday when two Sri Lankan UNIFIL soldiers were injured during IDF operations near the Naqoura base in southern Lebanon. The IDF acknowledged responsibility, stating that its troops had identified a potential threat and opened fire. An investigation into the incident is ongoing, with the IDF pledging a thorough review “at the highest levels.”
This incident followed another just a day earlier, when two Indonesian peacekeepers were injured after an Israeli tank fired near their observation post, causing them to fall from a tower. Both incidents have raised concerns about Israel’s military strategy in the area, prompting the United States and other nations to call for restraint. The US has emphasized that attacks on UN peacekeepers must stop, citing the importance of their neutral role in maintaining peace in the volatile region.
International Reactions
In addition to the US, the leaders of France, Italy, and Spain issued a joint statement condemning the attacks on UN peacekeepers. These European nations, whose soldiers also serve under UNIFIL, described Israel’s actions as unjustifiable and demanded an immediate halt. Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry expressed similar outrage, strongly condemning the IDF attack that left its soldiers wounded.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, highlighted the seriousness of the situation, noting that some of the attacks appeared to be direct targeting of UN positions. “There is evidence of direct fire on some of the UN posts, which raises alarming concerns about the safety of our personnel,” Lacroix said. The UN is expected to present an official report on the recent incidents in the coming days.
Continued Cross-Border Violence
Despite these diplomatic interventions, the situation on the ground remains precarious. Hezbollah continues to launch rocket attacks into northern Israel, with the IDF responding with airstrikes and artillery fire. On Friday, approximately 100 rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel, according to the IDF, which also reported intercepting an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from Lebanese territory.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health stated that three civilians, including a two-year-old girl, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the city of Sidon. Additionally, the Lebanese army reported the death of two of its soldiers following an Israeli strike on an army post in Kafra, southern Lebanon. These developments further fuel the cycle of violence that shows little sign of abating.
UN Peacekeeping in Southern Lebanon
UNIFIL has been stationed in southern Lebanon since 1978, following Israel’s invasion of the region. Currently, the mission consists of around 10,000 peacekeepers from 50 countries, tasked with monitoring the “Blue Line” between Israel and Lebanon. Their presence is aimed at preventing hostilities between the two countries and stabilizing the region.
Despite the crucial role played by UNIFIL, Israel has repeatedly criticized the peacekeeping mission, accusing it of failing to prevent Hezbollah’s buildup of arms in the area. In light of the recent incidents, Israeli officials have suggested relocating UNIFIL personnel farther north to ensure their safety. However, UN officials, including Lacroix, have insisted that the peacekeepers will remain in place, continuing their mandate to de-escalate the conflict and provide humanitarian aid.
Conclusion
The US has taken a firm stance in advising Israel to stop its attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, highlighting the risk of further destabilizing an already fragile situation. As cross-border violence continues to escalate, international leaders are calling for both sides to exercise restraint. For now, the focus remains on protecting the lives of civilians and peacekeepers, while diplomatic efforts to halt the violence continue. The US advises Israel to prioritize the safety of UN personnel as a step towards broader conflict resolution in the region.
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