Western leaders, including Emmanuel Macron and Joe Biden, condemned Israeli fire on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which left four peacekeepers injured. Macron called the incident “totally unacceptable,” while Biden demanded Israel stop targeting UN peacekeepers. The international community, led by France, Italy, and Spain, emphasized the necessity of protecting peacekeepers and respecting international laws.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also decried the attack, labeling it a violation of humanitarian law. Following the outcry, Israel claimed the peacekeepers were inadvertently hurt and initiated an investigation. Despite the G7 leaders’ decision to maintain the UN force in Lebanon, concerns remain over ongoing threats to peacekeepers in the region.
Israeli army claims peacekeepers ‘inadvertently hurt’
The situation continues to escalate, with UNIFIL reporting further injuries among peacekeepers and denouncing the risks imposed by the Israeli army. France and the US have reiterated calls for de-escalation and the protection of all UN personnel in the conflict zone.