Global Outrage: Israeli Forces Fire on UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon!

On Friday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed strong disapproval, aligning with human rights groups and several international leaders, regarding the Israeli military’s recent actions against United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon. This condemnation comes in the wake of Israel’s extensive military campaign in the region, which has resulted in over 2,000 deaths due to bombings and ground assaults.

Guterres described the incident as “intolerable” and insisted on no repetition of such actions. These statements were made following an official complaint from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This peacekeeping body, which has been active in southern Lebanon since 1978, accused Israel of intentionally targeting their positions. UNIFIL comprises over 10,000 military and civilian personnel from various countries.

On Thursday, a distressing event unfolded as reported by UNIFIL: “an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) tank specifically aimed and fired at an observation tower within the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, injuring two peacekeepers.” The injured personnel were identified as members of the Indonesian contingent.

Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Retno Marsudi, strongly condemned the attack, labeling it a severe breach of International Humanitarian Law. “Attacking UN personnel and facilities is unacceptable,” she stated.

The incident sparked immediate global backlash. High-ranking officials from Spain, France, Italy, China, Turkey, and other nations have publicly condemned the attack. However, the United States, a principal ally and arms provider to Israel, responded with restraint. The White House, under President Biden, expressed “deep concern” about the incident while echoing Israel’s rationale of carrying out “targeted operations” against Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group and political party.

When questioned about the attack, Pentagon Press Secretary Patrick Ryder deferred to the IDF for comments on their military actions.

Following an unsuccessful request by the IDF for UNIFIL to relocate from the Israel-Lebanon border, the tension escalated. “The peacekeepers are holding their ground,” stated Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations. He emphasized the importance of respecting the safety and security of the peacekeepers.

Since late last year, there has been a significant number of UN personnel casualties, primarily in Gaza. Human Rights Watch has urgently called for an international investigation into Israel’s actions in Lebanon, criticizing them as potential violations of war laws.

Lama Fakih, HRW’s Director for the Middle East and North Africa, highlighted the critical role of UNIFIL in the region. “With over 2,000 casualties and more than a million people displaced in Lebanon since mid-September, it’s crucial that UNIFIL’s operations to protect civilians and provide humanitarian aid are not hindered,” he remarked. “Attacks on UNIFIL not only obstruct their peacekeeping efforts but also limit the ability of southern Lebanese civilians to receive much-needed humanitarian assistance.”