The European Union is waiting for an explanation from Israel in relation to the attacks on UN forces in Lebanon, said the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell.
“We urgently await an explanation and a thorough investigation by the Israeli authorities into the attacks on UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), which plays a vital role in ensuring stability in southern Lebanon,” Borrell said in a statement.
He noted that the European Union is seriously concerned about the attacks by the Israel Defense Forces on UNIFIL, as a result of which several peacekeepers were injured.
“These attacks against UN peacekeepers constitute a serious violation of international law and are completely unacceptable. “These attacks must stop immediately.” – Borrell said.
Earlier, peacekeepers accused the Israel Defense Forces of infiltrating the post with two tanks.
According to UNIFIL, “at around 4:30 am, while the peacekeepers were in shelters, two IDF Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate of the position and forced entry.” UNIFIL accused the Israelis of endangering the lives of peacekeepers and said the tanks left about 45 minutes after they protested their presence.
In turn, the Israel Defense Forces said they were trying to evacuate nearby Israeli troops who were attacked by “a large number of anti-tank missiles.”
According to the military, the tanks left the post as soon as the enemy fire stopped and the wounded soldiers were evacuated. The Israel Defense Forces added that their actions did not pose a danger to peacekeepers.
The head of European diplomacy also called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon.
“The EU reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and for all parties to commit and work towards the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701.” – Borrell said.
Adopted in August 2006, UN Security Council Resolution 1701 aimed to end the Israeli-Lebanese conflict. In addition to a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory, the document provided for the disarmament and withdrawal of Hezbollah units from the border with Israel across the Litani River into Lebanese territory, the deployment of Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers. in the south of the country.
Since late September, Israel has been actively carrying out airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the country’s capital, Beirut, destroying Hezbollah’s infrastructure. The Israel Defense Forces also announced the start of limited ground raids against the group’s targets in the border region of southern Lebanon, Interfax recalls.
