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EU, Spain condemn Israeli attack on UNIFIL peacekeepers
The Spanish government says it “strongly condemns” the Israeli attack on the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, in southern Lebanon, that wounded two peacekeepers.
In a statement, it said attacks against peacekeeping operations a very serious violation of international humanitarian law and Security Council Resolution 1701. The government also demanded that the safety of UNIFIL peacekeepers is guaranteed.
Separately, the European Union’s foreign policy chief also slammed what he described as “another line” being “dangerously crossed in Lebanon”.
“We condemn this inadmissible act, for which there is no justification,” Josep Borrell wrote on X.
Israel preparing to invade Lebanon, not create a buffer zone: Analyst
Military analyst Elijah Magnier told Al Jazeera that today’s incident is not the first time UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL has been under fire from Israel since it began its presence in Lebanon.
“We’re talking about 1978. In 1982, the UNFIL position came under fire. In 1996, a compound … came under fire” he said, adding the incident resulted in the deaths of 106 civilians.
He said this is happening “because Israel needs to go through the UNIFIL position in Naqoura and start the invasion of Lebanon, and this axis is vital for the Israeli army”.
Magnier said that the number of Israeli troops ready to enter Lebanon is “huge”.
“We’re talking about 70-80,000. This is not to create a small buffer zone,” as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated, Magnier said, adding they are there “to invade Lebanon”.
Members of the United Nations peacekeepers (UNIFIL) look at the Lebanon-Israel border, as they stand on the roof of a watch tower in the town of Marwahin, in southern Lebanon, October 12, 2023
France, Italy seeks answers from Israel on UN peacekeepers attack
France and Italy have condemned the targeting of UN troops by the Israeli army in southern Lebanon, that resulted in injuries to two peacekeepers at the UNIFIL headquarters.
“France expresses its deep concern following the Israeli shots that hit the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and condemns any attack on the security of UNIFIL,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that none of its 700 troops in the mission had been wounded.
“We await explanations from the Israeli authorities. The protection of peacekeepers is an obligation that applies to all parties to a conflict.”
Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also expressed concern at a news conference in Rome, saying that the attack could constitute “war crimes”.
“What took place does not have a military justification,” Crosetto said. “We are waiting for a response to understand what led to these actions. These shots were not fired by mistake.”
Spanish peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) coordinate their patrol with the Lebanese army, in Marjayoun in south Lebanon on Tuesday
Israel urges UN peacekeepers in Lebanon to move north after firing on their positions
Israel recommends that the United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon move north, Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon said after Israeli forces fired on several UNIFIL positions today and yesterday.
“Our recommendation is that UNIFIL relocate 5 km [3 miles] north to avoid danger as fighting intensifies and while the situation along the Blue Line remains volatile as a result of Hezbollah’s aggression,” Danon said in a statement.
Thursday’s incident, in which two Indonesian peacekeepers were injured, is the most serious reported by the mission since it said last week it had rejected Israeli demands to “relocate” from some of its positions.
