From Emmanuel Macron to Joe Biden, condemnations increased on Friday, October 11 after Israeli fire hit, on Thursday and Friday, the forces of UNIFIL, the United Nations force engaged in southern Lebanon, while the The Jewish state continues its attacks against the Lebanese Hezbollah. The French president ruled “completely unacceptable” that UN peacekeepers are like this “Deliberately attacked by Israeli armed forces”. From Cyprus, where he participated in a summit of leaders of the Mediterranean countries of the European Union, the head of state warned that France “I will not tolerate it” new shots. Previously, the Israeli ambassador in Paris was summoned to the French Foreign Ministry.
“We remember that all peacekeepers must be protected and reiterate our support for the essential and continued commitment of UNIFIL troops and personnel in this extremely difficult context”France, Italy and Spain said in a joint statement published in the evening. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres described the shootings as “violation of international humanitarian law”. Joe Biden added his voice to the criticism. to the question “Are they asking Israel to stop attacking UN peacekeepers? »The American president responded: ” Absolutely. “
During the day, UNIFIL reported that its headquarters in Ras Al-Naqoura had suffered “Explosions for the second time in forty-eight hours” during which “Two Sri Lankan peacekeepers injured”after two Indonesian soldiers, on Thursday. She denounced the “very high risk” what the Israeli army is doing with peacekeepers.
The UN force is made up of 10,000 men, of forty different nationalities, including 900 Italians and 700 French. At the beginning of the offensive launched by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, the G7 leaders, fearing such shots, decided to keep the UN force in place. “We cannot allow this to happen. On the ground, pressure continues despite reminders from the international community, as well as pressure in Israeli speeches to call for the withdrawal of UNIFIL.”says a French diplomatic source.
“Unintentional” injuries according to the Israeli army
In response to the protest, Israel announced that “a thorough review at the highest level of command to establish the details of what happened”. The Israeli army, citing injuries. “involuntary”He claimed that he had shot in the direction of a ” threat “ near the UNIFIL position. However, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, described the international community’s condemnations on Friday as “Somewhat hypocritical criticism”.
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