The European Union demanded this Sunday that stop attacks “immediately” against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which constitute a “serious” violation of international law, while “urgently requested explanations and an investigation Israeli authorities.
“These attacks against United Nations peacekeeping forces constitute a serious violation of international law and are totally unacceptable. These attacks must stop immediately,” said the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, in a statement on behalf of the Twenty-Seven. The head of European diplomacy stressed that the Twenty-Seven “urgently await explanations and a thorough investigation from the Israeli authorities into the attacks against UNIFIL, which plays a fundamental role in the stability of southern Lebanon.”
The UN Security Council meets this Monday to study the situation in Lebanon, at a time of maximum tension following repeated attacks by the Israeli army against UNIFIL bases and Israel’s demand for evacuate these facilities. After expressing “deep concern” about the escalation of violence on the Blue Line (the border between Lebanon and Israel), the EU condemned all attacks against UN missions. And he expressed his “particular concern” over attacks by the Israeli army against UNIFIL which injured several members of the peacekeeping forces.
The Army of Israel intensified its advance in southern Lebanon this Sunday a day marked by the aforementioned entry of two Israeli tanks into the UNIFIL base in southern Lebanon, clashes against the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah and attacks on Lebanese Red Cross paramedics. “All actors have an obligation to take the necessary measures to ensure the security of United Nations personnel and assets and to respect the inviolability of United Nations facilities at all times,” Borrell said on behalf of the EU .
The EU therefore called on all parties to fully respect their obligations to ensure the security of UNIFIL personnel at all times and to enable them to continue fulfilling their mandate. Troops and other personnel of UNIFIL, to which 16 EU member states currently contribute, work under difficult conditions in defense of international peace and security, Borrell stressed. In recognition of this work, the EU paid tribute to its professionalism and renewed its “unwavering” support for the role of UNIFIL.
This Sunday’s attack took place the same day that the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu accused UNIFIL soldiers of being “human shields” for Hezbollah. For its part, the EU also said it was “deeply concerned” by Hezbollah’s continued rocket attacks on Israel. These rocket attacks “must stop,” Borrell said in the same statement, in which he also called, on behalf of the Twenty-Seven, to stop “attacks by the Israeli Defense Forces in densely populated areas of Lebanon, which cause serious losses. civilian lives and the displacement of many people. “We urge all parties to respect international humanitarian law in all circumstances,” he said.
In the same spirit, the EU reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and for all parties to engage and work towards the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 of the United Nations. This resolution calls for a complete cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon to be replaced by Lebanese and UNIFIL forces deployed in southern Lebanon, and the disarmament of armed groups, including Hezbollah. .
