EU Condemns Attacks on UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon, Rejects Israeli Accusations
The European Union has condemned the attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon and rejected Israeli allegations that the UN is obstructing military operations against Hezbollah, The Associated Press reports.
Five peacekeepers have been injured in attacks on their positions since Israel launched its ground campaign against the militant group, with most blamed on Israeli forces.
“Their work is very important. It’s completely unacceptable attacking United Nations troops,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
He also emphasized that the UN Security Council, not the UN Secretary-General, decides on the deployment of UNIFIL, calling on Israel to stop blaming António Guterres.
The attacks come amidst Israel’s escalation of its campaign against Hezbollah following a year of clashes, while also engaged in a war with Hamas in Gaza. Israel’s offensive in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 42,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, with more than half being women and children.
Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin accused Israel of attempting to prevent the world from witnessing its actions in both Lebanon and Gaza, and of undermining the UN. He suggested that Israel’s demand for UNIFIL peacekeepers to leave their bases aims to “drive the eyes and ears out of south Lebanon and to give itself free rein.”
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have charged two Israelis with planning an assassination at the behest of Iran. The Shin Bet security agency alleges that Vladislav Victorson, 30, was instructed by an online contact to carry out missions ranging from vandalism to arson, and received over $5,000 in payment. Victorson is accused of seeking to acquire weapons and enlist his girlfriend, Anna Bernstein, 18, in his alleged plans.
Despite the tensions, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, a strong supporter of Israel, condemned the attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers and reaffirmed that the force will remain in place.
