The Security Council Condemns Attacks on UNIFIL Peacekeepers in Lebanon

Members of the United Nations Security Council condemned several attacks on the positions of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the injury of peacekeepers in recent weeks, following ongoing clashes along the 'Blue Line', which is a temporary border recognized by the UN between Lebanon and Israel. They called on all parties to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and facilities, reminding that peacekeepers should never be targeted. The members of the council reiterated their full support for UNIFIL and emphasized its role in maintaining regional stability, expressing deep gratitude to the countries that have deployed troops for UNIFIL. They expressed serious concern over civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, harm to cultural sites in Lebanon, threats to UNESCO World Heritage in Baalbek and Tyre, and the increasing number of internally displaced persons, urging all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law. The council also called for the full implementation of Security Council resolutions in this regard. On Sunday, October 14, following an Israeli army tank attack on the entrance of a peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that any attack on peacekeepers could be considered a 'war crime'. According to Reuters, Guterres' spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, stated, 'The Secretary-General reiterates that UNIFIL premises and personnel must never be targeted. Attacks against peacekeepers violate international law, including humanitarian law.' Amidst Israeli attacks on positions of Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon in recent days, the UN peacekeeping headquarters in the area was targeted twice, resulting in injuries to several peacekeepers. Israeli Prime Minister expressed regret over the injuries to peacekeepers, stating that the Israeli army is making every effort to prevent such incidents from occurring again, but 'the simple and clear way to ensure this is to withdraw them from the danger zone.' Benjamin Netanyahu, in a message to Antonio Guterres, said, 'Your failure to evacuate UN peacekeeping forces [from combat areas] turns them into hostages of Hezbollah,' endangering the lives of Israeli soldiers and these forces. Relations between the Israeli government and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have soured in recent months due to his approach to the war between Israel and Iranian-backed militant groups in Gaza and Lebanon. Israel claims that the battle with Hezbollah will continue.