WASHINGTON/NEW YORK: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) urges all parties to ensure the safety and security of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported on Monday (Oct 15).
Amid ongoing hostilities along the Blue Line, the de facto border between Israel and Lebanon, “the members of the UNSC expressed their strong concerns after several UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) positions came under fire in recent days,” said Pascale Baeriswyl, Switzerland’s UN ambassador, following a meeting on Lebanon.
Reading the statement, Baeriswyl said the council members reiterated their support for Unifil, highlighting its role in supporting regional stability.
“They also expressed deep concern for civilian casualties and suffering, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the rising number of internally displaced people. They called on all parties to abide by international humanitarian law,” she added.
The members emphasised the need for diplomatic efforts to bring a durable end to the conflict and allow civilians on both sides of the Blue Line to return safely to their homes.
Last week, four Unifil peacekeepers were injured by Israeli army shelling on their posts in southern Lebanon.
Unifil was established as an interim force in 1978 to help restore peace in the region and to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.
Since Sept 23, Israel has conducted massive airstrikes across Lebanon, targeting what it claims are Hezbollah positions, resulting in at least 1,500 deaths, over 4,500 injuries, and the displacement of more than 1.34 million people.
Despite international warnings of the Middle East nearing regional war due to Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, Israel expanded the conflict on Oct 1 by launching a ground incursion into southern Lebanon. – Bernama-Anadolu
