UN Security Council denounces Israel, calls for protection of peacekeepers, civilians amid escalating clashes in southern Lebanon
Hezbollah and the Lebanese state have insisted that UNIFIL coordinates with the Lebanese Armed Forces on its patrols in southern Lebanon. [Getty]
The UN Security Council has condemned recent attacks in southern Lebanon by Israel that left several UN peacekeeping troops injured, expressing concerns about the worsening hostilities in the region.
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has continued its operations along the demarcation line, known as the Blue Line, which separates Lebanon from Israel. Over the past month, what began as periodic skirmishes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters has escalated into intense clashes.
Israel has accused UNIFIL of shielding Hezbollah forces and has called for UN peacekeepers to withdraw from southern Lebanon for their safety. UNIFIL has refused, vowing to stay and fulfill its mandate, stating that the “deliberate and direct destruction of clearly identifiable UNIFIL property is a flagrant violation of international law.”
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Without directly naming Israel, the 15-member Security Council urged all involved parties to respect the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and facilities, stressing that peacekeepers “must never be the target of attacks.”
The Council reaffirmed its “full support” for UNIFIL and commended its “role in supporting regional stability,” also expressing “deep appreciation” to countries contributing troops to the peacekeeping mission. Council members voiced “deep concern” over civilian casualties, infrastructure destruction, damage to cultural heritage sites, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Baalbek and Tyre, and the growing number of internally displaced people.
The Council called on “all parties” to uphold international humanitarian law and fully implement existing Security Council resolutions.
