French President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned the “deliberate” targeting of UN peacekeepers by Israeli forces on Friday, following an attack that injured two peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. Macron stated that France would not tolerate such actions, according to France 24.
France Summons Israeli Ambassador Over Violations
France took swift action, summoning the Israeli ambassador to address the attacks on three UN bases in southern Lebanon. The French foreign ministry described the incidents as “serious violations of international law” and demanded an explanation from Israeli authorities. The incidents have raised concerns about Israel’s military actions in the region.
UN Peacekeepers Injured in Israeli Attack
The Israeli forces allegedly fired at a watchtower at the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, leaving two Indonesian peacekeepers injured. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was established in 1978 after Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, and it has been monitoring the “Blue Line,” the de facto border between Israel and Lebanon. The UN recently renewed UNIFIL’s mandate for another year.
UNIFIL Condemns the Attack
UNIFIL condemned the attack, calling it a “grave violation of international humanitarian law.” The peacekeeping mission, consisting of approximately 10,000 peacekeepers from 50 countries, asserted that Israeli forces had “deliberately” fired at its positions along the border. UNIFIL’s role is to monitor and patrol the 120-kilometer Blue Line established after Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000.
Growing Concerns for Peacekeepers’ Safety
UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix expressed mounting concerns for the safety of peacekeepers amid Israel’s escalating ground offensive in Lebanon. Briefing the UN Security Council, Lacroix described the increasing hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah as “alarming” and warned that peacekeepers were at serious risk. “The safety and security of peacekeepers is now increasingly in jeopardy,” he added.
Casualties and Destruction from Israeli Strikes
In addition to the attacks on UN peacekeepers, Israeli airstrikes have intensified across Lebanon, resulting in significant casualties. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that at least 22 people were killed and around 117 were wounded in strikes on a densely populated neighborhood in Beirut.
India’s Concerns Over Security Situation
India has voiced its concerns about the deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized the need to respect the inviolability of UN premises and urged for measures to ensure the safety of peacekeepers. “We are concerned at the deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line and continue to monitor the situation closely,” the MEA said.
As the conflict in the Middle East escalates, international attention is focused on ensuring the safety of UN peacekeepers and preventing further violations of international law.