Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy call for “an immediate end” to attacks and threats against UNIFIL

MADRID 14 Oct. () –

The foreign ministers of Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy have called this Monday for the “immediate cessation” of attacks and threats against the contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), after five of its ‘blue helmets’ have been injured in recent days in Israeli attacks.

“We express our deep concern about the recent IDF (Israel Defense Forces) attacks on UNIFIL bases that have left several blue helmets injured. These attacks must stop immediately. We condemn all threats to the security of the UNIFIL”, they stated in a joint statement released by the foreign ministries of the four countries.

The text warns that “any deliberate attack against UNIFIL goes against Humanitarian Law and resolution 1701 of the United Nations Security Council.” “The protection of peacekeeping forces is mandatory for all parties to a conflict,” they stressed.

For all these reasons, they urge “Israel and all parties” to comply with their obligations to guarantee “at all times” the safety of UNIFIL personnel and allow “it to continue carrying out its mandate.” “We reaffirm the essential stabilizing role played by UNIFIL in southern Lebanon” and highlight the importance of the UN in “resolving armed conflicts and mitigating the humanitarian impact.”

This statement has been released after up to five ‘blue helmets’ were injured in Israeli attacks in recent days and another 15 were affected by a smoke screen launched by Israeli troops who broke into one of the positions of the international force this Sunday.

UNIFIL, established in 1978, is made up of some 10,500 soldiers from some 50 countries, including some 650 Spaniards, who ensure the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

On October 1, the Israeli Armed Forces launched a ground invasion into Lebanon with the stated objective of attacking the militias of the Shiite Hezbollah party, which has aggravated the situation for international forces.