UN member states express concern over Israeli attack on UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon

WASHINGTON

UN member states expressed concern Thursday over Israeli attacks on positions of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

"We are deeply concerned by the reported injuries incurred by UN peacekeepers and are wishing them a speedy recovery," US Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Robert Wood told a UN Security Council meeting.

The US expects all parties, including Israel, to respect the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and premises and to avoid incidents that expose them to risk or harm, he added.

UNIFIL said earlier in the day that its headquarters in the southern Lebanese city of Naqoura and two nearby sites had been struck by Israeli forces.

On Thursday morning, an Israeli Merkava tank fired on an observation tower, striking it directly and causing two peacekeepers to fall, hospitalizing them with minor injuries, UNIFIL said in a lengthy statement.

Wood underlined that Israel has a right to protect its citizens from the Lebanese Hezbollah group but said it needs to minimize harm to civilians, particularly in the densely populated areas of Beirut.

He reiterated that a diplomatic solution between Israel and Lebanon along the Blue Line is the only path to restore lasting calm and allow residents in both Lebanon and Israel to return safely to their homes.

Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said Moscow fully supports the security of peacekeepers, which are being subjected to "unpredictable risks" due to Israel's presence on the Blue Line.

"We all understand that this is a war crime. It deserves the most decisive reaction from all of us," Nebenzya told the Security Council.

Algerian Ambassador to the UN Amar Bendjama warned that Israeli aggression will not stop in Lebanon as long as Israel continues to enjoy impunity from the Council.

Commending the "pivotal role" of UNIFIL in safeguarding regional stability, Bendjama said Algeria is deeply concerned over the Israeli attack and condemned the Israeli army's "deliberate firing" at UNIFIL positions.

"We remind the Israeli authorities of their obligation to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times," he added.

'Israel does not care about cause of UN'

Separately, addressing the Council, the Lebanese ambassador to the UN, Hadi Hachem, condemned the Israeli attacks on UNIFIL positions as they are jeopardizing the safety and security of their facilities and members.

"This serious aggression proves that Israel does not listen, does not care about the cause of the UN...and the concerns of the whole international community...Today's aggression against UNIFIL is condemned, and this is yet another episode to be added to Israel's long record of targeting these forces," he added.

Hachem reiterated that the people and government of Lebanon reject the war and support an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon.

"Lebanon is ready for a diplomatic solution," he added.

Iranian Ambassador to the UN Amir Saeed Iravani said Israel is a "terrorist regime" committing widespread war crimes and constituting a present danger to international peace and security.

Stressing that the Council "cannot turn a blind eye" to the Israeli "atrocities," he said: "This council has a moral and legal obligation to intervene. It should not allow Israeli war crimes to go unchecked in the guise of self-defense or security."

Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, the head of the delegation of the European Union to the UN, said the EU condemns all attacks on UN peacekeepers, which is a "great violation" of international humanitarian law.

“We reaffirm our full support to UNIFIL, in which we have a strong EU presence.

“In the current situation of emergency, UNIFIL assumes a fundamental stabilization role in South Lebanon. We urge all parties to respect UNIFIL’s presence and to fully uphold their obligations to guarantee the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel at all times,” he added.