UNIFIL-contributing countries release joint statement condemning Israeli attacks
The joint statement by 40 countries who contribute troops to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), urged for a halt to attacks on peacekeepers in the country.
“As the countries contributors to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon we reaffirm our full support for UNIFIL’s mission and activities,” said the statement, posted on X on Saturday.
“We therefore strongly condemn recent attacks on the UNIFIL peacekeepers. Such actions must stop immediately and should be adequately investigated.”
Over the last three days, the Israeli army has fired on UNIFIL positions and wounded its personnel several times, drawing widespread international condemnation.
Members of the UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) monitor the Lebanon-Israel border, as they stand on the roof of a watch tower in the town of Marwahin in southern Lebanon on October 12
US, 40 countries tell Israel to end attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been on the phone with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant.
Austin expressed ‘deep concern’ to Gallant over Israel’s continued attacks on UNIFIL, the UN’s peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon, as well as over the deaths of two Lebanese armed forces soldiers, according to the Pentagon’s summary of their conversation.
Austin reinforced the need, according to the Pentagon, for Israel to cease its military activities in southern Lebanon and to “pivot”- as the statement put it – towards a diplomatic effort in the region as soon as is feasible.
Austin strongly emphasised the need for Israel to ensure the safety and security of peacekeeping forces, which Israeli army forces have been targeting in recent days and over the past weeks.
Separately, in another effort to apply pressure on Israel in this regard, 40 countries signed a letter to Israel. The 40 countries, which include France, Turkey, Indonesia, Ireland, China and the UK, are all participants in the UNIFIL force and they strongly condemned, according to the letter, continued Israeli army attacks on the peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon and their bases.
As far as we know at this hour, there has been no response from Israel to these joint efforts to pressure it into conforming to international law with respect to not harming peacekeeping forces.
US mulls sending advanced THAAD missile defence to Israel: Report
US officials have told the Associated Press (AP) news agency that the Biden administration is considering the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to Israel.
No final decision has been made, one of two defence officials told the AP, though discussions took place late last week about deploying a THAAD to Israel. Deployment of a THAAD to Israel would involve the deployment of US soldiers to operate the complex system.
According to an April report by the US Congressional Research Service, the Army has seven THAAD batteries. Generally, each consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, and radio and radar equipment. It requires 95 soldiers to operate.
The THAAD is considered a complimentary system to the Patriot missile defence, but it can defend a wider area, hitting targets at ranges of 150 to 200km (93 to 124 miles).
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska, the US, in 2017
