UNIFIL’s Crucial Role Amid Escalating Tensions in the Region
“We consider UNIFIL’s role as particularly crucial in light of the escalating situation in the region,” the countries said in a statement, which was published on X by the Polish mission to the U.N.
The statement also urged “the parties of the conflict” to ensure the security and safety of the peacekeeping personnel “so that they can continue … their work of mediation and support for peace and stability.”
Spain, France, and Italy had already slammed the attacks on UNIFIL as “unjustifiable.” On Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden said he was “absolutely, positively” urging Israel to stop targeting U.N. peacekeepers.
UNIFIL said that its facilities have been “repeatedly hit” and that Israeli forces had “deliberately” fired shots at the mission’s headquarters in the town of Naqoura.
Israeli forces asked UNIFIL to withdraw from some of its positions, but “there was a unanimous decision to stay” in the area, UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told AFP on Saturday.
UNIFIL was established as an interim force in 1978 to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon and help restore peace in the region. In 2006, when war broke out between Israel and Hezbollah, its mandate was expanded to monitor the cessation of hostilities and support the Lebanese army. The force counts more than 10,000 troops drawn from 50 countries, as well as about 800 civilian staff.
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